“For the most part, the world doesn't listen to what you have to say, but they do watch everything you do.” – from my Pastor’s sermon last week, “God’s Way for the Women of Today” preached from Titus 2.
I jotted that quote down in my notes and it’s been repeating in my heart since. I am asking the Spirit to move in me, to be aware of not just words but also my actions. But as I began to think about my Mom and Mother’s Day, the quote came up again, only my thoughts shifted, relating it to my relationship with her.
“For the most part, the world doesn't listen to what you have to say. . .” So true. As a rebel teen, I certainly did not listen. Not one bit.
“. . . but they do watch everything you do.” Though I don’t think I realized how much I watched her then, I certainly did. So I wasn't listening, but I was watching. And her actions impacted me in ways that 18 years later are still affecting who I am and who I aspire to be.
For all the times, I didn't listen, the tears you shed, the times I broke your heart, it all mattered, Mom.
It’s how you loved Jesus and your relationship with Him that taught me that there is nothing more important than my own personal relationship with Him and that everything else flows from it. It’s how you loved your husband that inspired me to me a godly wife. It’s how you loved me when I didn’t love that taught me how love doesn’t give up. It’s how you never (ever) spoke a harsh word to me when I hurled them at you that taught me that love bears all things. It’s how you were always there for me and never turned me away that taught me love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. It’s how you waited expectantly for God to answer your prayers to bring me back to Him that taught me how to pray without ceasing. It's how you stood on your faith in the Lord that taught me that rewards for mothering are not always immediate but He is the rewarder of our faith. And it’s how you loved the church that taught me how to be a servant. To love the Church as Christ does. It all mattered. It’s what led me where I am now. Loving Jesus. To want to know Him and to be loved by Him first so that I could love, be faithful to Him, my husband, my own children, to serve and to be who He has called me to be. What a gift you’ve me. A legacy that I am passing on to my daughter.
Thanks Mom, for teaching me how to be a Titus 2 women. Thank you Lord for the gift you’ve given me in my mom. Thank you for the gift of hearing your truths and how they change me. For being able to share this here and encourage all Mom’s. To remind them that what they are doing matters. It all matters because you’ve placed this calling on our lives. And the work you’ve called us to do, you are faithful to complete it.
Happy Mother’s Day,
Tara
I jotted that quote down in my notes and it’s been repeating in my heart since. I am asking the Spirit to move in me, to be aware of not just words but also my actions. But as I began to think about my Mom and Mother’s Day, the quote came up again, only my thoughts shifted, relating it to my relationship with her.
“For the most part, the world doesn't listen to what you have to say. . .” So true. As a rebel teen, I certainly did not listen. Not one bit.
“. . . but they do watch everything you do.” Though I don’t think I realized how much I watched her then, I certainly did. So I wasn't listening, but I was watching. And her actions impacted me in ways that 18 years later are still affecting who I am and who I aspire to be.
For all the times, I didn't listen, the tears you shed, the times I broke your heart, it all mattered, Mom.
It’s how you loved Jesus and your relationship with Him that taught me that there is nothing more important than my own personal relationship with Him and that everything else flows from it. It’s how you loved your husband that inspired me to me a godly wife. It’s how you loved me when I didn’t love that taught me how love doesn’t give up. It’s how you never (ever) spoke a harsh word to me when I hurled them at you that taught me that love bears all things. It’s how you were always there for me and never turned me away that taught me love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. It’s how you waited expectantly for God to answer your prayers to bring me back to Him that taught me how to pray without ceasing. It's how you stood on your faith in the Lord that taught me that rewards for mothering are not always immediate but He is the rewarder of our faith. And it’s how you loved the church that taught me how to be a servant. To love the Church as Christ does. It all mattered. It’s what led me where I am now. Loving Jesus. To want to know Him and to be loved by Him first so that I could love, be faithful to Him, my husband, my own children, to serve and to be who He has called me to be. What a gift you’ve me. A legacy that I am passing on to my daughter.
Thanks Mom, for teaching me how to be a Titus 2 women. Thank you Lord for the gift you’ve given me in my mom. Thank you for the gift of hearing your truths and how they change me. For being able to share this here and encourage all Mom’s. To remind them that what they are doing matters. It all matters because you’ve placed this calling on our lives. And the work you’ve called us to do, you are faithful to complete it.
Happy Mother’s Day,
Tara