I am her legacy

Last year, for the first time, I remember reading about the history of Mother’s Day in America. It surprised me. The official holiday all seemed to start with a woman named, Ann Reeves Jarvis. She was determined to honor her own mother’s legacy and the sacrifices women make for their children. After accomplishing her dream to get an official US holiday, she later denounced it because of the commercialism that now surrounded it. If you want to see more of that history, it can be found at history.com.

It is no surprise that Mother’s Day is an important, well celebrated holiday. I don’t remember my first Mother’s Day as a child. I was only 3 months old and my mom had already been a mother for 14 years. I do remember my first Mother’s Day as a mother. I was honored and proud to celebrate.

What a joy to be able to raise a child and how terribly exhausting. I soon found out how hard and satisfying that was as my son grew and we added other children to our family. Today, I’m still learning that as we raise young adults to be productive, contributing members of society who seek to do their best to love God and others. Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s hard, but it is always our role as parents to support, defend and love our children - no matter what.

Ginny, Age 16. Jody, Age 16

My mom does this for me. It’s where I learned it. I am my mother’s mini-me in SO many ways. I look like her. I act like her. I even hear her own words come out of my mouth! I have her fierce independent streak, her optimism, and love of life. Well, truth be told, I got that last one from both parents.

This is the woman who put up with me and also helped make me who I am. She supports, defends, and loves me. Consistently, passionately, and timelessly. I am her legacy. I should honor her.

In the Bible, Ephesians 6:2 reminds us, “‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise.”

So how do I honor my mother? I am her mini-me, but we are different. I love her, but sometimes don’t agree with her. God has given me some of her characteristics, but I have some different gifts too.

Honoring our moms doesn’t mean we need to be exactly like them in every way and it certainly doesn’t mean that we always agree with them. I know my mom deserves my honor and respect. In very practical ways, she put countless hours into making me who I am. Meals were made. Clothes were bought. Shoes were tied. I know your mom has done the same because moms never stop being moms.

As a mom, we invest in our children’s lives. We fight for them and we pray for them. My mom does this. I do this.

Our moms deserve to be honored, but honoring the mothers in our lives isn’t a one day event. It’s a lifestyle. This Mother’s Day, let’s figure out how to honor our mothers all year long. And dare I say that we should do what they do for us. We should support, defend and love our moms. Consistently, passionately, and timelessly.

Searching for wisdom and asking for grace,

Jody