My Mom

The older I get, the more I realize what an awesome task it is to be a mother. Once you bring a life into this world, you NEVER stop caring for it. Not even when they are grown and married. Though I've never had a child of my own, being the oldest of eleven has given me countless opportunities to witness first hand a lot of the self denial it takes to be a mom. I've been so blessed as I've watched my mom give of her time, energy, wisdom, love and sleep to meet the needs of her growing family. I can't imagine all that that requires. And yet, my mom has always done it with a joyful heart and with a determined spirit. Even when that required enduring nausea for all nine months with her first four children and most of the months that followed with the others. Thinking about it one time, I realized that out of 24 years of marriage, my mom has spent 99 months pregnant. To add to that, homeschooling them, helping to run a business, and still making time to always be there when my dad needed someone to talk to. She is a good listener, a wonderful source of wisdom and an amazing child of God. With all that, tell me that anyone who is a mother is underachieving!!! The gift of a devoted mother, and father, is the most blessed gift that anyone could give a child (aside from teaching them about the Lord). I feel so very blessed to be able to walk behind my Mother and women like her, to witness their example, and learn from their lives. To those Mothers out there who are like mine, don't give up, keep pressing on, you have the most important job in the world. You are helping to shape the next generation, we need you to keep being the examples we can follow. Thank you for your diligence. And to any daughters who might be reading this, take the time to tell your mom how much she means to you. In the past I didn't, and it took me a while to realize how much that discouraged her. Learn from your moms, and as you grow into the women that God wants you to be, never let our world discourage you from the wonderful opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the godly women God has set before you. “Happy Mother's Day” to any moms who may read this, God bless you all.

"My Mom"

When I took my first breath
You were right there
And with each new day
I felt all your care

When I could walk
You’d hold onto my hand
To protect me from things
I couldn’t yet understand

You were my “teacher”
In K through 12th grade
Your home was my class room
As I learned and I played

You taught me to always
Put God first in my life
To be a good daughter
And one day a wife

You always stood firm
In the direction God led
Even when I was stubborn
And had a hard head

But now that I’m older
I want you to know
The respect that I have
For the godliness you show

For all of your love
Your work and your care
For the Mother you are
And the life that we share

So I’m taking this day
To tell you anew
That someday I want
To be just like you

To display kindness and mercy
To show self denial
To hold onto God’s word
In the midst of a trail

To stand for what’s right
To be led by my man
And always be seeking
To walk in God’s plan

Thanks so much, mom,
For all that you do
I’m so very grateful
That God gave me to you

I love you so much
And always intend
To be a good daughter
And also your friend

~Amy Skoczelak 2007