To my Mom on my first Mother’s Day

Mom,

I always knew I was so blessed to have you as my mother, but now that I have my own little girl I see you in a whole new light. It’s not so much the nasty diapers, spit up and general untidiness that comes with a little one that makes my heart more thankful, but the way you raised me with eternity in mind. Ultimately my forever-future won out in your heart and for that I am forever grateful…actually, that doesn’t even begin to cover it. You read a excerpt from your family journal at my baby shower for Eleanora and what you said will stick with me for a long, long time. You read that when I was just a few years old, you saw that music might be a part of God’s purpose for my life. Not what YOU wanted for my life. Not where YOU hoped I would be successful. Not YOU but HIM. Then you said that God would give me the strength and wisdom to be the mom God intended for my Elle, and that He would teach me how to help shape her for His purpose.

The most invaluable thing I have ever learned from you in regard to motherhood is to rely on Jesus and His Spirit for the daily things. It’s not so much that the mess can be maddening and the crying seems to pierce the soul sometimes, although the day-to-day can be hard. No matter what season, life is hard a lot of times. “Hard” isn’t a reason to drudge on, head low, in constant complaint about how hard things can be. You didn’t. Your eyes were on the future, eternity. I know full well it wasn’t always that way for you, but that is the overarching memory I have of your heart as I grew up. You taught me how to know Jesus. You encouraged me to follow Him and His plan for my life. Even when I told you I felt God calling me to pursue worship ministry, even though I knew it would never be where I made a living, you supported me. You prayed for me. And look what God has done now. I have no doubt that He used you (and Dad, because I can’t leave Him out of this if I tried) to shape me into who I am, not for your pride, but His glory.

And now I follow your example for my own daughter. I know I will make mistakes and I know she will see my imperfections. But more than anything I pray that she sees through me and finds Jesus. Like you (both), I pray God gives me wisdom for how to help shape her for His glory, His vessel for His Kingdom. In the end that is all that matters. Thank you for seeing the eternal and living that way. Above all else, that is legacy you have passed down to me. It is humbling and fills me with overwhelming gratefulness.

Your daughter,

Jen