The Most Influential Woman in My Life

Today is my mother’s birthday. In Proverbs 31:28 we are told of the children of an excellent woman growing up and calling their mother blessed. On my mother’s birthday, I want to honor her by giving you just a few of the reasons that I consider my mother the most influential woman in my life.

1. My mom taught me that, in every circumstance, God must come first. We never missed any services of the church for ball games, school functions, practices, or anything else. We were always taught that even extra church activities were more important than anything else we had going on. Back then, that just meant missing practice and consequentially sitting on the bench during the next ball game. Today, that means that my desires and wants come after what God would have me do.
2. My mom taught me that you should never be ashamed to be “just a wife and mother.” My mom was always a stay at home mom. She fully focused on my dad and us. She was never ashamed and never embarrassed. She was always there for everything we ever did. She was the stabilizer in our family. She was devoted to our family as a unit. Back then, that meant a mom who was there after school every day and a mom who was at every ballgame. Today, that means that I don’t feel unfulfilled just because I am “only” a wife and mother.
3. My mom taught me that each family must live “within their means.” As I said earlier, my mom was always a stay at home mom. We always lived on one income – and not a huge one at that. We never had fancy cars. We usually didn’t receive as many gifts for birthdays and Christmas as our friends did. We hardly ever went out to eat. Mom always let us know that things didn’t make you happy. She also always reminded us that we were better off than most people. Back then, that just meant not having everything my friends had. Today, that means I am better able to accept that sometimes I need to “do without” to achieve a greater purpose.
4. My mom showed me how to be selfless. She always was. She gave herself the burned toast. She gave up her chair. The other person–whether her child or a stranger–was more important than herself. Back then, that just meant me enjoying “unburned” toast. Today, that means when I am tired and want to think of myself, even without me realizing it, I’ll picture my mom. I remember the countless times she was tired and just kept on for the sake of someone other than herself.

I could keep on listing the ways. When I think about the innumerable ways my mother has molded me into the person that I am, it helps me see what an impact I will have on my daughter and how she will be very much like me.

————————–

To Receive Every Post via Email for Free, Click Here

AUTHOR: Leah Faughn