Faith Words: Mother
Today is my mother's birthday. Born in 1925, she's certainly seen a lot in her 88 years. She grew up in a small house deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. The house belonged to her grandfather. He passed away eight years before she was born, but her grandmother and aunt still lived there, along with her mother and father and sister.
There was no running water, no electricity. She walked to the one-room schoolhouse several miles away every day and studied by coal oil lamp every night. She knew how to ride a horse but never learned to ride a bicycle.
She graduated from that little school at age 15 and went on to go to college at Sam Houston State in Huntsville. About 50 miles from home, Mom might as well have been on a different planet. She studied Home Economics and had exciting experiences like eating Jello for the first time. She had an adequate wardrobe but only one pair of shoes. Home was too far away to visit except on holiday weekends and at the end of term and homesickness was often overwhelming.
During the first semester of her freshman year, America entered World War II. She stayed home that next spring and was there when her father passed away from pneumonia. Wanting to do her part for the war effort, she signed up to go to a government school in South Texas to learn how to build airplanes. She wasn't the only one going. On the trip, she met a young man who also grew up in East Texas just about 100 miles from where she did - my dad.
After her training, she got a job in the shipyards in Galveston working a sheet metal press. One day, her glove got caught and pulled her hand into the press. The foot brake saved her arm but she lost parts of three fingers on her right hand in that accident and could no longer work in the shipyard. So, after rehabilitation, she went back to college at Sam Houston.
Mom and Dad married about three weeks after he returned from serving in the Army in Europe and my oldest brother was born the next year. My sister followed three years later and my other brother and I came along in due course. Their family complete, my parents did what most folks did then: job, home, church. I remember my mother teaching 2nd Grade Bible class on Sunday mornings and occasionally Ladies' Bible class on Tuesday mornings. And of course, she taught Vacation Bible School. We frequently shared the Sunday roast beef lunch Mom prepared with a visiting preacher. I'd tag along when she'd check on neighbors or church members. She and Dad made sure we faithfully attended every service at church.
At her feet, I learned how to study the Bible and how to minister to those in need. I watched how she dealt with good news and bad. When she was in her 60's, she and my dad left behind the comforts of life in Houston and moved to Belmopan, Belize to be missionaries to the people there. She cooked for the hungry, sewed clothes for those who needed them and helped Dad with the church that met in their home. She'd return from visits to the states with treats for the church members and neighbors who called her "Gringo Momma."
Back in Texas now, life has settled into a slower routine. She still cooks for the neighbors and gives treats and trinkets to them and their children. She's befriended a woman down the street who has given her everything from hibiscus to banana trees that Mom has planted. Having turned her entire back yard into a garden, she's working on the front yard now. She tries to keep up with everyone at the church they attend and every morning before they eat breakfast, she and Dad read the Bible together.
Mom taught me how to sew and cook. She taught me how to drive a car and set a table. She taught me to love nature and life at home. I've learned a lot from my mother but the most important thing she ever taught me wasn't taught in words or books or lessons. It was taught in watching her. It was taught in her life spent in faithful service to the Lord. Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you very much.
Patrice
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
There was no running water, no electricity. She walked to the one-room schoolhouse several miles away every day and studied by coal oil lamp every night. She knew how to ride a horse but never learned to ride a bicycle.
She graduated from that little school at age 15 and went on to go to college at Sam Houston State in Huntsville. About 50 miles from home, Mom might as well have been on a different planet. She studied Home Economics and had exciting experiences like eating Jello for the first time. She had an adequate wardrobe but only one pair of shoes. Home was too far away to visit except on holiday weekends and at the end of term and homesickness was often overwhelming.
During the first semester of her freshman year, America entered World War II. She stayed home that next spring and was there when her father passed away from pneumonia. Wanting to do her part for the war effort, she signed up to go to a government school in South Texas to learn how to build airplanes. She wasn't the only one going. On the trip, she met a young man who also grew up in East Texas just about 100 miles from where she did - my dad.
After her training, she got a job in the shipyards in Galveston working a sheet metal press. One day, her glove got caught and pulled her hand into the press. The foot brake saved her arm but she lost parts of three fingers on her right hand in that accident and could no longer work in the shipyard. So, after rehabilitation, she went back to college at Sam Houston.
Mom and Dad married about three weeks after he returned from serving in the Army in Europe and my oldest brother was born the next year. My sister followed three years later and my other brother and I came along in due course. Their family complete, my parents did what most folks did then: job, home, church. I remember my mother teaching 2nd Grade Bible class on Sunday mornings and occasionally Ladies' Bible class on Tuesday mornings. And of course, she taught Vacation Bible School. We frequently shared the Sunday roast beef lunch Mom prepared with a visiting preacher. I'd tag along when she'd check on neighbors or church members. She and Dad made sure we faithfully attended every service at church.
At her feet, I learned how to study the Bible and how to minister to those in need. I watched how she dealt with good news and bad. When she was in her 60's, she and my dad left behind the comforts of life in Houston and moved to Belmopan, Belize to be missionaries to the people there. She cooked for the hungry, sewed clothes for those who needed them and helped Dad with the church that met in their home. She'd return from visits to the states with treats for the church members and neighbors who called her "Gringo Momma."
Back in Texas now, life has settled into a slower routine. She still cooks for the neighbors and gives treats and trinkets to them and their children. She's befriended a woman down the street who has given her everything from hibiscus to banana trees that Mom has planted. Having turned her entire back yard into a garden, she's working on the front yard now. She tries to keep up with everyone at the church they attend and every morning before they eat breakfast, she and Dad read the Bible together.
Mom taught me how to sew and cook. She taught me how to drive a car and set a table. She taught me to love nature and life at home. I've learned a lot from my mother but the most important thing she ever taught me wasn't taught in words or books or lessons. It was taught in watching her. It was taught in her life spent in faithful service to the Lord. Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you very much.
Patrice
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Comments
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.
Direct my footsteps
according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.