“Mom, how did you do it? Raising four kids with no guidebook to tell you what to do?”
I was sitting at the kitchen table, and my mom and I were having some special time together. I was in my early 20’s. I was about to graduate from college…that time in your life when you start to wonder about your future and appreciate the efforts of your parents in raising you. It really was quite daunting to consider it all.
How did they do it? It was starting to hit me how much my mother had done for our family.
As a daughter, she was the oldest of 7 children and the first to graduate college. In the early 1970’s, she left her home country of India after graduating from nursing school to work in the Middle East and eventually settled in the US with my father.
As a sister, she was able to file for five of her siblings to come live in the US over the years. By God’s grace, her siblings have also been able to see their children and grandchildren thrive, not only in the US, but abroad as well.
As a Pastor’s wife, she has continued to support my Father in his ministry and has a ministry of her own by sharing the Gospel to people she comes across.
As a missionary with my Dad, she lived overseas for 4 years in a rural village with no clean water or paved roads.
As a nurse, she set a precedent in service and integrity, working with children for close to 40 years.
As a mother, she was a teacher to her four children and a role model, showing us the importance of integrity…so much so that she dislikes surprises…because it means you likely have to tell a few white lies to pull it off.
She has taught me to smile all the time, wear bright colors when taking family pictures, read lots of books, keep having faith- even in the tough times, and pray, pray, pray.
That day at the kitchen table, her answer to me was, “The Bible was my guidebook.”
The greatest thing that she has taught me is to trust in God, and that is the most precious thing I can pass on to my children.
I came into the world with nothing, and I will leave with nothing. What I leave behind will be my legacy, and if I can pass on to the next generation a love for our Heavenly Father, then I am giving them the greatest gift.
What has your mom taught you? This evening, take a moment to thank God for choosing her to be your mother. Ask God to shower her with a special blessing today.
“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”
-Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President
“…a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
-Betsy
“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”
-Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President
