Happy Birthday Mom!

Today my mom is 53 and more beautiful than ever! She has raised four beautiful daughters and for her mothering I am thankful. She will tell you that she often feels as if she has failed us, as any mother thinks at some point(s); but, look at us. I don't see any evidence of a failure in my life when I look at the woman that I am. And I didn't exactly become who I am on my own.

My mom was telling me about something God told her the other day. You see I have a niece who struggles with bad allergies and skin irritations. It is very exhausting for my sister to handle. The question "why does she [my sister] face such a challenge," was posed. God simply told my mom, "Because I knew Molly would dedicate herself to dealing with the situation. I knew she would read all the information, get the right products, and take the time for the extra attention with her daughter. I chose Molly as her mother for that reason."

That kind of shed a new light on my upbringing. My mom has gone through some very difficult trials, tribulations, attacks, and choices in her life. And as in any family, the history of the past generation affects the later generation. At very least, the manner in which life's situations are viewed is affected. This is the only logical explanation for why she, at times, feels she failed us as a mother. Well, here is what God showed me...

God chose my mom to be our mother because he knew she could handle it. She is strong enough. He knew that she wouldn't just "check out" physically, emotionally, or spiritually when she made mistakes or when we made mistakes. I am sure that there are times when it crossed her mind; but, she didn't. She fought for herself and she fought for us.

God knew, that if given the choice, my mom would have chosen to go through anything she faced ten times over before she would choose for any of her daughters to have to go through it! God knew that she would share Godly principles with us and take us to church no matter what other circumstances presented themselves in her own life. He knew she would give up her own blessings so that we, as her children, would have more. He knew that she would be dedicated to change and growing in her own life, even at the age of 50 something and beyond. And most of all he knew she would be dedicated to loving us and to restoration of broken relationships.

Thanks mom for being my mom and never giving up. Thanks for embracing growth and being vulnerable enough to allow God to grace the world with your beauty and testimony. I pray that God kisses you in a very special way today. I love you.