my mom

So it is mother's day tomorrow and in all the busyness of getting ready for church on Sunday and also thinking about how this is my first mother's day - I completely forgot to send my mom a card - so it will be late, once again:(. I had asked Katerina a few days ago what she was going to get me for mother's day and she stopped and looked at me, giggled, and then shook her head! I think that means I won't be getting much :) But maybe that's just the way it is for moms sometimes...

My mom is one of the most selfless people I know - I don't actually think I have ever known her to serve herself first. Whether it is around the dinner table, or out shopping, or making plans for the day - my mom always puts other people before herself, especially her kids and grand kids! When I was younger I used to think my mom was crazy for never wanting to buy anything for herself - not even new clothing or just something special as a treat.

Now that I am a mom I can understand my mom a bit more...and I can understand that her selflessness is one of the greatest ways she shows love to her family. And now that I am a mom, I really don't know how my mother ever did it - how did she raise 5 kids, help nurture more than a dozen grand kids and great-grand kids? How did she support her husband as a pastor and farmer, how did she provide such stability to our family when things were tight and challenges came?

Her commitment to loving our family can only be sustained by her commitment to Jesus. One of my favourite memories as a child was stealing a peak at my mom as she did her devotions every morning. As she sat in a quiet corner to read her Bible and pray, I knew that something special was going on. I knew not to disturb my mom, not because she would have gotten upset with me, but because even as a young child I knew that it was a sacred and holy time. I can see now that it was really what gave her the strength and love that she needed to face each day with a smile on her face and peace in her heart.

Now that I'm a mom and I struggle with juggling my work, caring for our daughter, keeping our house a home, supporting and nurturing our family - I think of my mom and realize that if I want to leave a legacy like she has - then I can never neglect that special time with Jesus each day. Even when there are 50 other things I could be doing, if I am not nurturing that loving relationship with Jesus I will have nothing left to give.

So my mom continues to teach me many things and gives me high goals to strive for, but she more importantly lives a life that testifies to the love and peace that is found only in Jesus. Thank you mom, I love you...