Franklin Five

Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Monday, July 23, 2007

Thank You, Mom!

My mom left today after being here for two weeks. I cannot describe how much I appreciate all she did for me. Here are just a few of the wonderful things she did for us: praying with me over the phone while I was in labor, dropping everything to get in the car and drive over 10 hours to come help, cleaning up poop off of the carpet-my son's and my dog's, cooking, cleaning, sleeping on the couch so she could help with the baby in the middle of the night, taking care of Graham in the morning so I could sleep in, doing lots of laundry, loving Graham even when he was clingy to me, helping me to laugh when I felt like crying, going shopping with me and telling me I looked beautiful even though I didn't feel so beautiful, fixing lunches for Tim to take to work, and rejoicing with us in the birth of our second son.

Thanks, Mom, for all that you did for my family over that past few weeks, and thank you for loving me so well over the past 31 years. I love you and will miss you!





Here's a journal entry written by Angela Thomas Guffey in Prayers for New Mothers. I love what she writes about her mother, and it greatly reflects my own feelings.

My Mother

Oh, God,
Thank You. Thank You for my mother. I never fully understood how incredible she really is until the birth of my first child. With this birth, my esteem for her is renewed. My respect for her grows daily. She truly emobdies the truth of Proverbs 31-a woman of great character, noble and praiseworthy and good.

My mother is a source of great strength. Her presence always brings calm and assurance. With each new baby, she quietly comes and takes her place in our home. She cooks and cleans and irons. She holds everything together while I fall apart. She has given each of our children his first bath. Even now, I hear her humming a lullaby, and I smell the beginnings of supper on the stove. It is so peaceful to rest in the love of my mother.

Lord, her legacy is one which I long to pass on as well. Although I am at the start of motherhood, I desire more than anything to give my children the same motherly love that I have known. I feel completely inadequate, yet wholly committed. Continue to teach me through Mama how to love my babies well.

Please bless her. Give her happiness beyond measure. Reward her many times over for each sacrifice she has made. Let her know that she is loved and adored by her children. Thank You, God, for giving me a mother to love. Give us many more years to walk together. From the tender heart of Your daughter and hers, I gratefully pray in Your name. Amen.

3 comments:

BlessingintheBattle said...

What a beautiful tribute to your mom! She is, indeed, a special lady!

Perpy said...

Oh, Jo, Charlotte will absolutely love (and fall apart) when she reads this. Right now she is downstairs, having just climbed into bed. I know I've kept her up far too long tonight, but we had fun chatting about our wonderful children and how blessed we are to be your mothers. What a lovely tribute you have written to her and how she will treasure your precious words as she treasures you and your precious family!
I'm so grateful the Lord gave you to my son for I love you dearly, too.

Patsy

Kimba said...

This is beautiful, Jo. I woke up early this morning for some crazy reason...isn't this when I should be sleeping BEFORE the baby is born?? Anyway, I decided to check your blog. As I sit here when it is still dark outside, tears fill my eyes when I read your blog. What a beautiful testimony of what your mom means to you. It made me thankful with you for having a mother like her. I really enjoyed meeting her last week. It also made me feel so blessed to have my mother in my life. I know she will do the same for me in just 7 or so weeks. It also made me feel blessed to have a friend like you - I love that we can share personal, real things with each other. It draws me closer to you and I am thankful! Thanks for sharing!