What you taught me, Mom.

Happy birthday, Mom. I love you so much and I’m so glad I was born to you! I cannot imagine anyone more loving, kind, sacrificial, gentle, patient, and faithful as a mom. You are a gift from heaven to all who know you and I can’t thank God enough for letting me be born to an amazing woman like you. Of course there are so many things you have taught me, by example, but a few come to mind, that I’d like to thank you for:

::People are more important than things::

I remember every time I’d spill something, or break something, or ruin something; I remember you cheerfully grabbing a towel, or a broom, or some glue, and saying, “Well, people are more important than things.” You never shamed me or made me humiliated because of ruining some object of yours, even when I polished your special silver with shoe-polish! This made a powerful impact on me, in so many instances, remembering that people are always more important than things.

::Joy is found in serving people::

I remember being critical of you, because you so selflessly laid down your life for others. You cooked, you cleaned, you constantly laid down your life to serve dad, to go to his ballgames, watch his games, take on his projects, do his thing. You were always serving us. But you knew a secret I hadn’t learned back then: Joy is found in serving people. You came alive serving others. You poured out your life loving Dad, and us, and you truly glowed with joy as a result. I think it’s funny that now Dad is the one doing all the cooking and cleaning for you! 😉  You both are humble servants, and I’m so grateful for that example.

::Prayer is more effective than power::

I was an idiot in high school. Can we just all agree on this? I remember doing so many stupid things and watching you never panic, never freak out, and never pull me into a power-struggle. Instead of getting upset, yelling, or throwing around your weight … you prayed. I know you did. You prayed guys out the door and prayed bad situations to pass. You prayed and prayed because you knew that prayer is more effective than power. I believe that God’s abundant goodness and grace on my life is a result of your prayer. Thank you for praying me out of the idiot-years!

::Homemade bread will fix most things::

It sounds silly, but I’m so grateful you taught me to bake bread. Not only has it saved us probably thousands of dollars (Killer Dave’s is like $6 a loaf!) but it’s often forced me to slow down and take the simple way. Even on hard days, my kids will light up if I offer them a buttered slice of bread, and homemade bread fresh from the oven has been given to many neighbors over the years, a delicious treat that costs mere pennies to make. I feel like the ability to bake delicious bread gives me something I can take to any gathering, no matter how fancy the meal, to bless people. It makes a great hostess gift, and is a wonderful cooking activity to include kids in. For all those loaves, thank you.

::Loving people is usually just listening::

I remember you saying that the best way to bless people is to let them talk about themselves. Ha! It’s true though, we all desperately want to be listened to, we long for someone who’s willing to listen to us share our heart. You are the best listener I know. Thank you for 35.5 years of listening to me — listening to me cry, complain, boast, pray, and speak. Thank you for listening to me recounting my victories and failures. Thank you for listening to the friends I brought over, and showing genuine love to people by simply listening. You have completely won the hearts of my children by just listening to them, sometimes for hours on end! I think Dutch would be content to sit and talk to at you all day long! 😉

Happy birthday, Mom. Thank you for loving me and teaching me so much through your life. I love you.

{Thanks for reading.}