Lessons learned from my mother (Happy Mother's Day)

From every person in our lives, we can learn lessons. Some are learned through love and encouragement, others through pain and still others are learned by see behaviors you do not want to emulate.

Here are some lessons my mother taught me that have shaped who I am.

1.  Always love.  No matter how difficult it is, love your child. In doing so you will emulate the love of Christ.  When they grow and seek God they will understand love because you did your best to teach it to them.

2. Forgive.  People will let you down and fail to meet your expectations. Forgiveness will go a long ways towards healing.

3. Set and maintain healthy boundaries.  No person should subject themselves to abuse.  It's ok to say no. It's essential to limit contact with individuals who are not repentant and who are not committed to changing their behavior.

4. Get help. We all need it. Whether its counseling, coaching, instruction, or mentorship, we all need help. It's ok to let people in and it's important to be teachable.  Without help, we tend to form our own unhealthy patterns. Letting people speak into your life is a gift to yourself.

5. Being a married wife doesn't mean being a doormat. It should mean that you are loved, and cherished. You are valued and have a voice.

6. Every child is precious.  No child is born worthless or unloveable. We shape our children's image of themselves by our words and actions. God loves each child and deems them precious and so should we.

7. Beauty comes from the inside. No matter what your genetic makeup, or your features you can radiate beauty.  It flows from the love you have inside and bubbles out of you, making your eyes sparkle and your heart beam.

8. Empathy is essential.  People everywhere are silently hiding the pain they carry.  A little empathy can break down the walls and bring healing.  God is empathetic to our plight and as such he hears our cries, he listens and he brings healing and restoration.

9. It's never too late. Its never ot late to say I'm sorry, to change, to make a difference or to reconcile. Its never too late as long as you are breathing.

10. God is a good God, of love and mercy. In fact, his Mercy is new every morning. He is not waiting to destroy or condemn us. He longs for real relationship and intimacy. He does not want anyone to perish, least of all me.  On judgment day he will not be standing there condemning me for that day I swore in high school. No, it was forgiven at the cross and he will welcome me with loving arms and declare me forgiven because of his great mercy at the cross.

I honor my mother in this, I will learn well. I will be the woman God desires me to be. I will not curse my birth or accept your curse of death on my life. Instead, I praise you mom for carrying me to term despite not wanting me.  I honor you by thanking you for teaching me these profound lessons, despite the methods.  I choose to forgive, love and pray for you, that you too will be forgiven one day.