I fought it for a long time – this knowing who I resembled, but it’s truer today than I ever thought possible…I am my mother’s daughter.
I am truly a product of my parents – I have some of the best (and not so great) traits of each of my parents, but there are things in my being that are truly my mom. I love to welcome people into my home, just like her. I love to cook for those I love, just like her. My laugh has been described as contagious, and unmistakable, just like her. I cry at the sappiest of movies and commercials, just like her. Helping little ones to know how important they are to their Creator, just like her. Creativity just flows once an inspiration hits, just like her. I can’t resist Christmas, no matter what time of year it is, just like her. I can’t make a big meal without using all the pots in the kitchen, just like her.
Proverbs tells us to “train up a child in the way that (they) should go”, and mom – sometimes not really knowing – did just that. And from the way that she lives her life, I know that her mom and grandmom lived the same way. I come from a very long line of strong, outspoken, devoted to family, deeply in love with Jesus women.
My faith doesn’t always look like my mom’s, but I know it’s a faith in the same Jesus. We don’t always agree on some of the ways we express matters of faith, but the big picture and the knowledge of Who we walk with is.
I have done so much that is different from how my mom chose to live her life, but I have always believed that I could find my heart’s desire because she cheered me on, and believed in me too, probably more than I believed in myself.
A faith that develops in a child comes from watching proof that God is important to their parents. A faith that comes alive in a child comes from knowing that their parents live out that faith daily. I watched as mom cried with hurting people, cared for people who couldn’t care for themselves. Mom’s house was always open to people (even when they really didn’t want the invitation – ask me some time about Sept 2, 1972!), and all of this was because she knew that they needed to meet Jesus, and it was through her that they could. She carries this on to this very day, and because I watched her do this so well – I love to do the same. Just like her.
Joyfully Yours 