On Mother's Day, my daughter, Linda and 2 of her boys, my son, Chuck and his wife, Deedle, came over for dinner. After dinner I asked them and their dad, Phil, to sit in the living room and we were going to have a "tribute" to mothers. I started it with a spoken word on a CD I have, followed by a song "My Mother's Love", which is posted above. After listening to this, I felt it needed a little explanation, and out of me came a story I hadn't even intended to say. It just came. I hope I can repeat it her, and if it isn't exactly as I spoke it Sunday, that's just because I hadn't rehearsed it. I just know it, since I lived it!
When I was quite young - around 6 years old - I went to church for the Stations of the Cross one Friday during lent. Something happened there that I can't explain and couldn't know what it was at the time. While listening and praying the stations, and hearing Jesus' story of His love for ME, I found myself all enveloped in a feeling of hope and love. I knew right then that I loved HIM.
When I was young all my family were good Catholics. We never missed mass, or confession, or communion, or all the lent celebrations. We prayed the memorized prayers and the rosary. We had a bible, but never read it. I didn't know of the Holy Spirit, and didn't know Jesus as my personal friend and my savior. But, I felt very close to Mary. She was my Mother! When things were tough for me, I would go off by myself, and I would sit with Mary, my Mother, and tell her my troubles, and cry on her lap. I felt her comforting me, and her arms hugging me, and her love. This got me through many tough times while I was growing up. I did not realize that she was taking me on a path to the Father, God, her Son, Jesus, and the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
When I was 38, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, just immersed in the Spirit of God, and I met my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Jesus walks every inch of my paths with me. The Holy Spirit teaches and comforts me. And I know God as my creator. This was so real and so personal and so emotional. I felt the presence of God so powerfully.
God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and Mary guided my life and protected me, and I didn't even realize it. I love my Mom, and am missing her lots. The last 3 months of her life were my best times with her. I regret not spending more time with her.
I LOVE being a mom, and Grandma. That's my occupation, that's what I do. I made huge mistakes in my career as Mom, but I thank God He gave me the children He blessed me with. And their spouses. And my grandkids.
5 comments:
We all made huge mistakes, Lonnie. Motherhood doesn't come with a manual, it is all on-the-job training. Wouldn't it be great if everything that worked with the #1 child also worked with the #4 child? But it doesn't, each kid is a work in progress and parents are still learning how to best help guide each individual child on their personal path.
It was the same for our parents, and their parents and all the way back to Adam and Eve and their sons. Most parents do the best they know how with what they have.
I love your witness, Lonnie! I hadn't heard the story before of the Stations of the Cross experience. God had your number pretty early on! It shows. The love of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit shines right through those beautiful blue eyes of yours. Seriously.
Keep sharing - it inspires people.
Thank you, Sharon! This really means so much to me!
I'm sorry I didn't read this earlier! I finally got my computer worked on so now it is faster and I can get on the blog.
I love this story of yours, mom. You told me this story in Las Vegas when we were there for Kay's wedding. Linda was there, too. We were having a discussion about Mary and this story gave me a new perspective. I believe God uses all kinds of people and experiences to bring us to him. I also suspect even Mary was not a perfect mother.
You were as perfect of a mother as you could be. Even if you could go back, knowing what you now know, you would still make mistakes. I love you, mom, and thank God for giving me to you.
Thank you, Debbie. I just now read your comment here. Thanks!
Thanks ! Supper Post !
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