my mother, my mentor, my friend

God has blessed me with one of the greatest blessings He can bestow--He gave me Godly parents who raised me in God's Word, Truth, and Grace. 

With it being Mother's Day and all, here are a couple of ways that I am blessed specifically by her.

She is my mother.

 My mother has lovingly nurtured me, comforted me, spanked me, and trained me. She taught me how to sew and how to cook. She spent hours reading out loud to my siblings and I. When I broke my arm she took care of me. When I was new to school (again), she watched over me. She packed trunks with clothes for 3 years at a time, so I would have some new clothes to wear every year in Africa. She cooked, she cleaned, she made home my favorite place to be. She equips my father and has loved him and helped him for 30+ years.

She is my mentor.

Starting at a young age, she instructed me in scripture memory, how to have a quiet time, and was with me when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. When I was a little older, she started discipling me and we would meet just the two of us to study God's Word and discuss issues that confront any middle school girl, whether living in the States or in Burkina Faso! She was my actual teacher for two years and oh! what fun we had studying ancient world history and reading deliciously delightful books like The Master Puppeteer and Mara, Daughter of the Nile. 

Now, even though I am a teacher myself and no longer living at home, my mom continues to instruct me. She tells me what I need to hear, not always what I want to hear. She isn't afraid to hurt my feelings if it means pointing me back to God's Truth. She shares how God is training her and keeps me accountable in my pursuit for Godliness. She listens, she encourages, she prays. 

She is my friend.

I still love to go shopping with my mom. I love to spend the day with her if all we do is visit. She knows me better than anyone else on earth. She laughs with me and at me! She is goofy and likes to have fun. She has been a friend who has transitioned with me from the Central African Republic, to the States, to Burkina Faso, back to the States, back to Burkina Faso, and so on. She knows what makes me hurt and what brings the tears, even before I do. She lets me grieve as I need to, but is unwilling to let me remain in a state of despair and self-pity. She knows me well enought to get me an out-of-print book by an author that I love for my birthday, when I don't even think to put it on my list. She has held my hand during my darkest moments and cheered me on in my greatest successes.

(She is also a beast at bowling!)

My mom has made home for our family of 6 in many different countries. She has learned to adapt to various different cultures. She is willing to obey her Master and Maker whatever the cost. I am so proud. I am beyond blessed.

Proverbs 31:25-30

Strength and dignity are her clothing,

And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom,

And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 

She looks well to the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

 

Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 

“Many daughters have done nobly,

But you excel them all.”

³⁰ 

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Happy Mother's Day!