First Baptist Church of Herndon

I'm becoming my mother!

Linda Soller | May 05, 2014

Julie starred right at her mother and said, “When I’m a mother I’ll let my daughter go to her friend’s party.”  June just shook her head and replied, “That will be your decision to make, when you’re a mother.”  With a heavy sigh and a roll of the eyes Julie stomped out of the kitchen and slammed her bedroom door behind her. June sat down at the kitchen table thinking of when she had been the daughter acting out this same scene with her mom. “Oh, my gosh! I’m becoming my mother” was the thought that crossed June’s mind.

Does this sound familiar? I’m pretty sure we have all been through a similar drama. As children/young people we often think our mothers live to control us and spoil our lives, until we become parents. One day the light goes off and we hear our mother’s words coming out of our mouth. The first time can be a shock. We never thought we would see the day. Parenting has never been easy, but I think parents have so many outside influences tugging at them and their children today that parenting can seem overwhelming, and a bit scary.

As a child I was always fast to volunteer my mom. If a field trip chaperone was needed, my hand flew up. If a room mother or cupcake maker was needed, my hand flew up. I liked having my mom around. Oh we had our share of drama, but fortunately it was infrequent. As a mother I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve thought to myself, “How would mom have handled this situation?”  The answer usually included words like carefully, wisely, cautiously, bravely, honestly, and lovingly.

I’m blessed to still have my mother, and I still love spending time with her. Don’t imagine for a minute that I don’t appreciate how special it is to have her nearby and to have her in good health.  I have wonderful memories of good and difficult times when we were able to be there to support each other. I know there is nothing she wouldn’t do for me, nothing I wouldn’t do for her, and I truly hope my children feel the same way about me.

With Mother’s Day coming up I encourage you to take the time to thank God for the woman who mothered you over the years. Perhaps she is still with you or maybe she’s in your heart. Thank him for her despite her flaws and imperfections. Thank him whether she brought you in to the world or brought you up in the world, or both. Thank him even if you didn’t really know her or didn’t like what you knew; remember nobody is perfect.  Thank him for when she provided security and for the times she let you go. Thank God for the lessons she taught you. When you are finished thanking him, why not thank her? You might say it, or pray it, or show it in your actions, but it is never too late to say thank you.

The other day I said something and thought, “Oh my gosh, I’m becoming my mother.” Seconds later I smiled and thought, “I can only hope to be so lucky.”   

Happy Mother’s Day!  :o)    Linda