Prayers, Smiles and Praises

Proverbs 31:30  "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." 

It's Mother's Day weekend, a day when the role of mothers is appreciated and generations gather to bestow gifts of flowers and jewelry, chocolate covered strawberries and possibly breakfast in bed. It's a day we pamper, spoil, and love on our moms a little extra.

For most moms, this is a proud day, reflecting and cherishing her brood, or her own mother; the perfect sentiments displayed on a beautifully designed flowery card.

Mother's Day is my hardest holiday, still.  It shouldn't be, but it is.

I tread in those inviting waters of expectation only to slip in the slime of dissapointment.

Time does heal. There are those parts of my Mother's Day picture that no longer are tangible with one son and my own mother in the Lord's presence. I always will miss both of them, thoughts frequently towards memories.

What does the scripture tell us?

A promise of praise awaits the mother who gives respect and honor to the Lord, the giver of her salvation, and exemplifies that in her unselfish deeds and unconditional love for her children, for her family.  I know I still need to work on attitude, and there are days I am emotionally drained. I need to  remember what it says in an earlier verse, "she smiles at the future," (v.25).

The flowers petals will fall, jewelry discarded, the strawberries gobbled up and the bed will be remade every morning, hospital corners and all, by us moms for the next 364 days. I'm not saying that I--you,  are not loved, that these gifts are not sincere.  Tradition and a love language in gifts are important. It's fun to receive a thoughtful gift, but charm fades.

Youth and vigor, active relationships with adult children and the elderly, aging gracefully, (with our sunscreen and moisturizers and trips to the hair salon); becoming a grandmother;  the beauty in motherhood takes on variety of colors and textures, a different aesthetic value.  Let's recognize the beauty within ourselves, for God continues to sculpt us towards His purpose. Vanity is a multi-billion dollar industry. Taking care of our "temple" is biblical, and I know God doesn't mind a little lipstick and mascara.

I focus on the last part of this verse. God hears the prayers of a mother.

From the first time a newborn is held in her arms, as her head hits the pillow every night and as she rises to complete her chores and routines, go to work, mend the tears, bandage the knees, cook and clean, entertain, a mother prays for her children. She prays for her friend's children, she prays for her extended family.

In God's timing, not for the world's eyes and economy, but for God's economy, she shall be praised, promises the Lord.

I know my mother prayed for me.

I prayed for her.

I pray not to receive praise myself,  but to see my children give praise to their Maker.

But, there are words I would like to hear said one day...

"My mother prayed for me, and I pray for her."


Father, thank you for the gift of being a mom. It is a blessing through every good day and every hard day.  I know that You have a plan. Help me to bring You praise in this role. Be with me Lord and give me Your mercies as I miss my mother and my first born. You are not impressed with charm and outward beauty, but Lord, You look on our hearts and see our desire for our children. Help us to trust in You for the continued "raising up;"  that their paths will lead to honoring You in their own walk. May heaven rejoice in the faith of moms. Thank you Father, for Your strength and for Your promise. Amen.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

"Better Late than Never" A Mother's Day Story

Luke 12:40 (NIV) ^"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Maybe if my mother new this verse, it might have quickend her pace. On this Mother's Day, as I remember my mom and all her outstanding qualities, she wasn't perfect. You could count on her being late--very late! 

Because of her chronic lung condition/allergies, she coughed a lot in the morning. In retrospect, I'm sure it wore her out before her day actually began. By the time she was ready to fly out the door though, she didn't miss a beat. Her hair was styled perfect, make-up applied in just the right order, all her clothes clean, coordinated and thought out with shoes to match! She was a stunning professional business woman. 

 About 6 months before her battle with pneumonia took her from us, we went on a trip together to Las Vegas for my birthday. She was probably late getting to my house, then we went shopping for shoes, then hit the outlet mall somewhere on the road to Vegas, and yes, we finally arrived. I remember the first night staying in the MGM Grand and we slept till 11:00 a.m., got down to the breakfast buffet around 1:30ish and sat and talked while eating BREAKFAST for hours, laughing and sharing some of her teenage stories she hadn't told me--couldn't imagine that by the fall, we'd be planning her memorial. 

What a great time we had walking the strip and shopping, checking out all the new hotels. 

On the drive home, we stopped for dinner at Stateline. When we headed out again very late that night, we found the greatest radio station playing "oldies", well it was 70's music from my era and she tried to guess every band. Surprisingly, she got a lot right and knew some of the lyrics. Did you know I went to the Rod Stewart concert and saw Bruce Springsteen with my mother? She got the tickets!  

On the way home from our Vegas trip, keeping each other awake singing, it was so late. Instead of dropping me at home, we figured it would be better if I just went to her house and she'd take me home in the morning. Driving down the freeway, almost to our off ramp, the red light starts whirling in our back windshield, and to our surprise, the CHP blared the bull horn with immediate instructions:  "LADY, PULL OVER NOW!" 

It scared the peejeebies out of us!   

(Officer) "Are you in a hurry Ma'am?"

"No, why do you ask? Our exit is the next one, State College..."

(Officer replies), " It's 3:00 a.m. and I clocked you at 95 mph." 

After a little lecture and instructions from the officer about speed and safety, he was kind enough to just write her a ticket for 85. 

She couldn't get out of the house on time, but my mother put the "pedal to the metal!"  

 

Mom and me at the Bellagio, Las Vegas, May 2000 

Thank you Lord for my mother, Joyce. Mom doesn't have to worry about being ready on time, for in heaven she's already perfectly put together. Trumpets, maybe a little Springsteen announced her arrival. When You come Lord, the Heavens will shout with triumphant glory, no bullhorn needed. I miss you mom and I'll see you when the time is right for me. Here's a request when I do: play a little "Sweet Caroline" for old times.  

To Be Greatly Praised

Proverbs 31: 30-31. "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
³¹ Reward her for all she has done.
    Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."

Define a beautiful woman?   Media and Hollywood film display on a 24-7 loop, anytime, any place, their gold standard. 

Marilyn, Elizabeth Taylor, Angelie Jolie...

Practical but with style and great taste ---that was my mom. Probably a size 5 or 7 petite, she shopped frugally. Nordstroms semi-annual sale, TJ Maxx, Macy's one-day sale--and she did it often! 

She never missed the "Clinique" give-aways.  Her vanity drawers were full of the aqua colored beauty secrets. 

And her shoes!  Should I continue?  

My mom was cute and looked good for her advancing age.  I hope to do so well. 

Her true spiritual journey came later in her life and so did a second chance at love, a love she never expected after so many years had passed since our father died, leaving her a widow at 49. God brought two people together as friends at a time in their lives when past sorrow grooves and laugh lines combined on faces of hope. 

Define a beautiful woman? 

My mother watched the cancer creature creep again.  She became his hospice home, his death watch, his prayer to heaven. 

 I watched, in awe of her strength, the passionate beauty that God brought to the surface in the midst of her fear and pain. I understood so much by then about mothers and children, about children and mothers. Strength does come from family ties and God holds the shoestrings. 

I will go visit her headstone this weekend and bring her some lavender roses. 

And I will give her praise.  

My mother Joyce with grand daughter Katie and Mike ♥

Lord, continue to give me the strength and passion to love and be loved in and through many memories. Thank you for my mother and what she brought to my life.  Amen.