This one is for the moms (and mom figures) in our lives.
1. We’re friends…
… not just relatives! I can honestly say that my mom is one of my best friends. From late night talks when I’m in a life crisis (or maybe just when it feels like one) to goofing off in a theme park together (we may or may not have been talking about ducks and chocolate in an unidentifiable accent), she’s the best. Who else would split ethnic dishes with me because we're both looking at the same menu items? Almost anything sounds fun if it means I get to spend time with Mom.
2. She is gentle with me.
Sometimes you just need a mom to listen and empathize. I’m so thankful that mine does! Mom is a great listener, and she handles her family with gentleness and love.
3. She knows when to confront me.
We’re accountability partners in the best way. If Mom sees an attitude in me that needs to be addressed, she does so firmly but lovingly. She knows that it hurts me more in the long run to ignore an issue than to address it for my good. It goes both ways; I confront her when I see problems in her life, too. Our relationship is stronger because we trust each other and listen to one another’s rebukes.
4. She prays for me.
If it sounds cliché, it isn’t. I am incredibly blessed for the prayer warriors in my life, and my mom is definitely one of them. I know that she is praying for me—my strengths, my weaknesses, my day, and my future. Not infrequently, we will pray together over specific problems I’m facing. I am so grateful for my mom’s prayers… and I pray for her, too.
5. She keeps my life together.
If I ever show the illusion of having my life together, it’s my mom. She juggles multiple calendars for my family, keeps us fed, and keeps our house clean. I often bounce ideas off of her, and she encourages me and tweaks my projects multiple times a week. Even though I’m in college, the way she serves her family contributes vastly to my overall sanity and schoolwork.
6. She pushes me outside my comfort zone.
Throughout the years, she has been by my side to help me conquer fears and navigate uncertain situations. She helped me face my fear of fish when I went scuba diving. She has pushed my rigid personality to be more spontaneous. She taught me to trust when we did a ropes course together. She pushed me to keep trying when I was exhausted from working out and felt like completely out of my depth in a gym. I honestly think that fear would still inhibit me from living life boldly if she had not helped me push myself and try new experiences.
Mom, thank you!
Thank you for bringing me into this world, caring for a very fussy baby, nurturing me through my childhood, and continuing to build a lifelong relationship into adulthood. I treasure every moment I get to spend with you. From you, I’ve learned what a woman of God can be.
I want to grow up to be just like my mom.
