A Tribute to my Mom

I wish one who is good at navigating the blog "how-to's" could come and show me some things. For instance, I got the little button to the left but I don't quite know how to get it over here. I don't know what a meme is, but this is my attempt...I did after all, sign my name to it....

The question is...what is the greatest lesson you learned from your mother, or a mom-like figure in your life?

Mother's Day is a day away and I want to rise up and call my mama blessed:-) She is a
Proverbs 31 woman (she's had plenty of opportunities to live in the chapter)

When I tell you my mom has nurtured 12 children, you will already know she is a wonder-woman. When I tell you that she passed on to me passion for Jesus, love for family, creativity, love for being a mom, love for others and a desire to be a blessing, well, I have only scratched the surface, but you will know she is a virtuous woman.

I am the firstborn. I have seen my mom at work all of my life being the woman God created her to be.

As a young girl, (and the first five of the twelve were girls) I remember my mom spending hours sewing dresses for us, doing our hair, polishing our shoes, taking us to dancing lessons, helping us practice our dance at home , teaching us to tie our shoes, practice reading, help with homework, shopping, painting with watercolor, scrapbooking, coloring etc. She read us Bible stories and taught Sunday School. I remember every Saturday night was bath time in preparation for church. Three of us would take a bath together, and come out to the living room in our pj's and watch Lawrence Welk. Then she would take in the two little ones (or were they first??)...in her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers (verse 19)

Then there was the preparation of food: Putting in the garden, weeding, canning, freezing, cooking, baking, planning, shopping... One memory is of mom making bread. She had at least 3 large mixing bowls on the counter with bread rising. We had a peninsula in the kitchen. Mom would stand in the kitchen, and us kids would pull up chairs in the dining room side and kneel on them, leaning on the counter watching her turn the dough out and knead it. She would enlist our help as we got older making biscuits. What wonderful memories of a loving home with the fragrance of home-baked bread. Is there any fragrance better than that one? she provides food for her family (verse 15)

I grew up on a dairy farm, which meant daily chores. My dad hired young guys to help him when I was real little. When I was 8 yrs old, I was official age to babysit in the house so mom could go out to the barn to help Dad milk in the morning. They installed a phone in the barn so we could call if needed. I remember mom milking cows one time beyond her 8th month of pregnancy- I wondered how she squatted down next to those cows with that big belly in the way! As the years went on, you would even find mom out on the tractor plowing or baling hay...she sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for the tasks. (verse 17)

My mom was available for people in need...she was called on many times for a family whose mom was always being brought to detox for alcoholism. When her sister was going through a very hard time from divorce, she was invited to come into our home. When her parents were aging, my parents dug a well and put in a sewer and trailer next to our home and moved Grandma and Grandpa in next door. We sponsored a child in Guatamala and enjoyed writing letters back and forth...she opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy (verse 20)

After I got married and started my family, my mom was the greatest source of encouragement. Those early days in my experience with motherhood were full of questions from me and advice from her. Wonderful wisdom for a young mama with babies. We spent many hours on the phone late at night talking and praying. Usually she was praying for me and sharing truth from scripture...she speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue (verse 26)

Mom, many women do noble things, but truly, you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate...(verse 29-31)

Of course there is so much more, but I think this provides a pretty good framework of my loving mom. To summarize the lesson learned: Seek the Lord with all your heart and all these things will be manifested in your life.