Sunday, September 2, 2012

Rise Up and Call Her Blessed



Ephesians 6:1-4

 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise— so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."




Friday, my daughter and I honored my mother by taking her to a celebrate her birthday, which is today!  We took her to a "girly" place for lunch.  I couldn't help but think how much my role as her first-born child has changed through the years, as I sat across from her as a well-seasoned wife and mother in my own regard.

Proverbs 31: 28 - "Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her."

My mother took her role as wife and mother very seriously.  Her childhood history of loss of her own Dad to cancer when she was a pre-teen, then living her high school years at Buckner Children's Home, instilled in her the desire to give all she could to her husband and four children.

As of this birthday, she can brag on a marriage of 53 years,  four adult children, ten grandchildren (yes, six are mine), one great-granddaughter and two great-grands that she has emotionally adopted.

She walked out the type of mother portrayed through the television idea of June Cleaver.  A contented, productive, stay-at-home mom, leader in the PTA and adult sponsor for the youth at church, she served in church and various ministries, while supporting my Dad's business.

Her traditional role as wife and mother left behind large footprints to follow.  She taught her daughter well....I am a product of that commitment to Jesus Christ, husband, family and the Body of Christ.

She wasn't perfect...like the rest of us...but she was faithful.  She continues to be faithful with all life has thrown at her...many hardships and heart breaking disappointments.  She continues to draw strength and reassurance from the source...Jesus.

May I honor her today with my own faithfulness to the values she instilled in her oldest child.  May I continue to follow her well-worn path of love of Jesus Christ, husband and family no matter what life throws at me.  May my legacy reflect her timeless and Biblical values and therefore, give her the honor she has earned.

Happy Birthday, Mom....Love You!

19 comments:

  1. How the Lord has blessed you with such a Godly example to follow. Happy birthday to your wonderful mom! May the Lord shine His face on her! : )

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  2. She looks joyful! This is a wonderful tribute to a beautiful mom. You look a lot like her and you look fabulous. Glad that you had yourselves a day! Many blessings to all the generations of your family...

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  3. Yes! Happy birthday to your good mama!
    She was and is a blessing to very special people.

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  4. Happy Birthday to your dear mother!! The pictures are so sweet. Some of my happiest memories are of spending time, doing anything or nothing at all, with my mother. She was the best! I can tell by looking at your mom that she is, too.
    Hugs~

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  5. Mothers are so important to how we live our lives, even the ones who stray. To be constant and faithful are so important. What a nice discription of your mother for us.
    She looks so happy to be honored by both of you in such a girly way.

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  6. Happy Birthday to your mother, Janette! This is a wonderful tribute to her faithfulness to family and to our Lord. May we all be encouraged by her example!

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  7. A loving tribute to a deserving mom :) Happy Birthday to her! Love the sweet photos.

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  8. Happy Birthday to your lovely mother, Janette!
    What a blessing, what an inspiration, she is.

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  9. No better way to honor her, Janette, then how you're doing! God bless you both - and Happy birthday to your sweet Mama.

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  10. Oh, Janette, what a lovely, lovely tribute to your Mom. Reading it made my long for my Mom. What a sweet read!

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  11. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JANETTE'S MOM!!! It's for sure you are one of the jewels in each other's crowns! :)

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  12. What a lovely tribute to your Mom it is what we aspire to be.

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  13. Lovely post about what looks like a wonderful family. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. Dear Janette, A beautiful tribute to your mom. I wish her a very happy and blessed birthday.
    blessings dear. Catherine xo

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  15. Janette
    How very blessed you are to have had such a dedicated, faithful mother. Happy Birthday to the Dear Lady!!
    I think it's obvious she has taught you well and you are doing a good job of following in her footsteps!

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  16. What a beautiful post to honor your mother. She seems like an excellent example of a good mother. I also read Sonja's post about you friend.

    Love you,
    Debbie

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  17. Happy Birthday to a fellow quilter! I believe you mentioned those chairs you are redoing, be sure and post a picture when you are done.

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  18. LOVE this Janette!! Please wish your mom a happy belated birthday for me. Awesome!! Sure enjoyed the photos of y'all with your mom, too. Yes!!!

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  19. A beautiful tribute to your mother, Janette. May she have many more birthdays and anniversaries to share with her growing family. I know God will bless her abundantly for her faithfulness.

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