Happy Mother’s Day weekend! I hope all the moms, who are able, enjoy some time with their families. I am looking forward to spending the afternoon with my daughter. And, of course, my thoughts turn toward my own mom. I just had a major milestone birthday and, indeed, as I officially “mature,” I am more and more like my mother. I certainly am continually influenced and impacted by her…and the memories that I have. I started to rehearse a few of those memories…and maybe one day soon, I will get some new ones down in words. However, for today, I am just going to repost some thoughts I shared several years ago. They were originally part of a FMF post but they so reminded me of her as I read them today. Enjoy. And if you have a special phrase that always “sounds just like my mom,” I would love for you to share it! Have a happy weekend!!
If I heard it once, I heard it at least 1000 times. My mother’s admonitions:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or (her favorite) Pretty is as pretty does
They may very well have been her mottos. Or, perhaps, a motto she hoped for me. It was her repeated attempt to shift my focus from the external – and all that I so often found lacking – to the internal. And, yes…Mom was right. But, truthfully, I have been a slower learner of this truth. Even in this phase of life, a distorted focus can too easily trip me up. The wrong focus quickly robs my joy, making me feel “less than,” unqualified, and defeated.
Godly character is beautiful. It outdoes any lipstick, cute hair-cut or the “perfect” figure. I like all the pretty things and try to look my best. Totally not against cute hair-cuts or make-up. But character shines past all of it. Not only does it please the heart of my savior, but it is also noticed by others. “Hmm – something about her. She is just so pretty.” All of us have seen it before. The radiance of godly character. That is “pretty is as pretty does.” I want to remember Mom’s words. I want to remember her character. Yes, she was beautiful. (She really was!) But she was beautiful inside as well. With that reminder, I don’t mind at all striving to become “just like my mom!!”
Such a beautiful post, my friend. Godly character is definitely the most beautiful of traits. I’m doing a Bible study on this right now that you would LOVE! It’s True Woman 201/Interior Design and we’re walking through the characteristics of the Titus 2 woman. You can buy the study and watch the videos for free on YouTube. I know that you miss your mom and she sounded like a lovely and Godly woman.
I don’t know that Mom has one particular phrase or motto that she says, but she is the best listener and sympathizer. She is always the first person I want to call in the mornings when my house empties out and I love spending time with her. I am so fortunate to be able to do both of those things regularly and I thank God for this. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your daughter- I don’t know that I knew you had a daughter as well! I’d love to see some pictures of that next week! Have a great day, my friend.
I am going to order that Bible study today. Thanks for the reminder (I’ve seen you talk about it on your blog…but kept putting off getting one for myself.) I hope you had a great day yesterday…and that the week ahead will be a sweet one!
A great tribute post to your mom that is full of much wisdom. I try to stress to my girls how their appearance is not what defines them and they understand that intellectually… but society tells them something so different. I will miss my mom this Mother’s Day this year as I have every year for the past many since she’s been gone but, like you, am thankful for her character and that she lived a life for Christ. I hope you have a wonderful day with your daughter.
Thanks, Maria. I hope your day was nice as well. We never stop missing our moms, do we??
What a lovely post. Having a kind and loving character always shines through and gives you that extra something. I know I am going to sound very old when I say that I really don’t like all the cosmetic enhancements that are so popular nowadays. The plumped up lips and tattooed eyebrows …
I hope you had a fun time with your daughter.
Tattooed eyebrows?!?! I don’t get it. I guess I’m really old, too!:) Hope you have a lovely week ahead, Deb! Thanks for stopping by!
My mother always saying “everything happens for a reason.” And I find myself saying that too; or it’s counterpart “I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.” My family often points out that I not only say the same things as my mom (often completely in sync!) but I literally sound like her too.