Happy 80th Birthday Mom!

I love you mom.  I know I don't say it or show it enough.  You are my best friend, my confidant and my example of a Godly woman.  My earliest memories are of you serving others.  God uses your prayers to help so many people.  I remember you and Ann both waking up in the middle of the night to pray for someone.  You did not know who or why.  Later that morning you found out that a boy at our church had been hit by a car.  God woke you up because he knew you would be faithful to pray for this child.

You served the children and parents you babysat for.  They loved you for watching their children when they had to work.  Many of them did not want their children to leave you when they went to school.  You were able to provide me with a stay at home mom while working to serve other moms.  Later you worked in a child care center and provided that same love for me, the parents and the children.

You always set a good example for me.  You didn't swear, drink, or smoke. You took us to a godly church.  You were always careful with what we watched, wore, the friends we had and to what we listened.  You guarded my heart when I was not old enough to do so for myself.  You took the biblical mandate in Proverbs 22: 6" Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." And followed it for both me and the children you watched over.

Through this example and training, you were there when I accepted Christ as my savior.  Your faithful training pointed me to Christ and I am a new creation in Him.  I believe you did that for all of us:  Cindy, Harold, John and me.

In 1983 our life dramatically changed.  We moved to Virginia to live with and serve my grandmother.  You helped her fill a void in her life after Mitch died.  This decision was pivotal in my turning out to be the woman I am today.  I can't imagine the path I would have taken if we had stayed in NC.  At the time, I hated the move, but grew to love everything about VA. 

When granny got older, you took care of her.  You cleaned up the messes she made.  You stayed up late with her and picked her up when she fell.  It was a job that not many people would care to do, but you did so with grace and without complaint.  Again, you took the biblical mandate from Deut.  5:16 "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." And lived it and set an example for everyone.

We moved back to NC in 1997.  Again, this was a difficult time for both of us.  Together we found a new life and a new place.  You went and lived with Cindy and helped her through a very challenging time in her life.  You gave her your love in a time that she needed you the most. 

During this time you also served your life-long friend, Margaret.  You sat with her, ran errands for her and cleaned her house and bathroom.  I know she was happy to call you her friend. Again you set the biblical example from Mark 12:31 "You shall love your neighbor (friend) as yourself".

Though you do not have a degree in counseling, you have ministered to so many women over the years.  You have helped them through sickness, marriage difficulties, and divorce.  You have taught Sunday school and led bible studies.  Again you have followed God's commands shown to us in Titus 2:3-5.  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

I cannot forget the prayer ministry you have had for so many.  Prayer is your spiritual gift from God and you have used it to help thousands of people.  I know that if I give you a prayer request, you will pray and that God will answer your prayer.  A few answers to prayers for me were going to college, my husband David, infertility and then my children.

And now once again you are serving me and my family.  For each of your children, you have mentored and served us and tried to be there when we needed you most.  You take care of my children.  You take care of my husband and me.  You cook, clean, and teach my son the same biblical lessons that I learned as a child.  You have lived a Proverbs 31 life.

Proverbs 31:25-30

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed...

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.