Most of you never met this woman, but my earthly journey began inside her womb. Shortly before she passed away in early 2004, I thanked her one final time for all her love and care. She smiled affectionately and said, “Yeah, I knew you when all you could do was eat, mess and holler.” She then added, “I only wish I could go back and do it all over again.” Say what? She had EIGHT kids! And I was one of them. That makes no sense to me what…so…ever!
When I was a young pastor, “hollering” about the frustrations of ministry, one of the most enduring things she said to me was simply, “Danny, you can’t change people,” and over the years, remembering “change” is God’s job continues to be one of the most profound and liberating truths I know.
Mothers (in all their various forms) aren’t perfect, but they are the first expression of God’s love we experience, and for the vast majority of us, theirs’s is the most secure love we will ever know on this earth. The whole world can hate you, but “mother,” “mom,” “mommy,” “ma” and “mama”… even when she can’t stand what you did, she will always love who you are.
(Dad’s relax. I’m one of you. This isn’t in any way detracting from how critical our roles are in our children’s lives, but it’s a different effect – and I don’t have time to explain it here.)
Thanks for everything, mama. Today is her birthday and I am celebrating and thanking God for the tremendous blessing her love continues to be to me and through me.
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