4:309 – Whatever You Call Her, Mom is Love

#faithbites #faithjourney whatever

Setting

Mom. Mother. Mum. Mommy. Mama. Mommo. Maw. Whatever you call her, our mother figures mean something to us. I say mother figures because I have had women in my life with no biological or matrimonial relationship to me, who are as much of a mother as others. Today, I was looking through pictures and found several of my mum. She passed in May, but it still doesn’t feel real. Part of me is still looking forward to getting together with her on Christmas with the family, though I know there will be an empty chair. While it’s not mother’s day, we can take a minute to think about these wonderful people and love them if they are physically with us or with us in spirit.

Today’s Questions: How do you celebrate your mother figures? What is a mother to you? How can you share your love for them while they are still here?

Scripture

• Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
• Proverbs 31:26: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
• Proverbs 31:31: “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
• Luke 2:51: “And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.”

Reflection

When I look at these verses, several keywords stand out: strength, dignity, laugh, wisdom, kindness, honor, praise, treasure, heart. These are the words I think about when I think of my mum, mother, and other mother figures. People who have loved me unconditionally, treasured what I’ve done, been kind to me when I needed it, and strong when I needed it. This is what I’m missing now that my mum is gone. I’m blessed though to have my mother and other mother figures step in. No matter how many I have, I still miss her. I think that is God’s way of reminding us to love people when we can, to make an impact, and as Jewish people say when someone has passed, “May her memory be a blessing”. My mums sure is. (As an aside, I know some people don’t have a great relationship with their mother, I get that. My prayer is that you can reconcile that relationship and if not, that you have other mother figures who love and support you.

As we close, remember to hug and love your mother figures whatever fun nickname you use for them. Respect them honor them, and cherish them. You will miss them when they are gone.

Prayer

Father God, tonight I pray for Kate Lieb-Fisher and all of the mums and mother figures who have passed. Thank you for bringing them into our lives and we thank you for the blessing their memory provides. Lord, we also pray for those moms and mother figures still with us. Give them strength, love, compassion, and help them achieve everything their heart desires. May your love bring them peace. Finally, we pray that you help us to love, respect, and appreciate them for everything they are and do for us. In your holy name, Amen.