(On Left) My Momma; can't you tell by the hot lipstick (On Right)My Mama Faye;my daddy's mom
You know my story with my mom isn't the sweetest of stories. You see, I was a daddies girl. Yep! Shot out to all my "D.G.'s" out there in the world! So clearly, you can pretty much write the story from that point. My mom and I had some tension between one another through the younger years and I was a handful to deal with. I do remember getting corrected and making decisions because as my mom puts it, "Couldn't nobody tell me nothin' but my daddy". God, ALWAYS has a way of humbling me and restoring not only me, but those that I hurt or offend in the course of my life's journey. So, many of you don't know a portion of my story.
At the age of about 16, I had my oldest son, Mateo. My parents had been in Full-Time Ministry since I was in the Second Grade. Well, I recall vividly the day I "found out" the news I was prego officially. It was the week of Simultaneous Revival. If any of you who read this post are from Oklahoma you know what I am talking about. My father was hosting a pastor who was doing a revival at our church. So, guess who went to the doctor with me? You guessed it, my momma. As I look back now, I see that The Lord divinely appointed her to be in Dr. Wilbur's office with me. Not my father, but my momma. You see, the Lord knew this would be the moment where my mother would be the extension of grace made alive through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
My momma didn't skip over the reality and consequences of sin. She became a living example of what Jesus does for you and me EVERY SINGLE DAY. He sees our sin, redeems us with his blood, restores us through his resurrection and reconciles us to Himself, so we can tell somebody else what he has done in our lives. In hope that they too may know the living, resurrecting power of who Jesus is and can be if they surrrender their lives to Him.
I love that my mom in those moments loved on me and affirmed me of who God was and who I was not without Jesus. It reminds me of this very scripture from Hosea 6:1-3
“Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
2
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
3
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”
It was only through Christ that I could walk in freedom with the choices I made, whether wise or unwise. As a mother this is where I try to live daily with my children. Often times, I have forgotten from whence the Lord has brought, delivered and set me free. And, I can pour my expectations and not God's expectations and hopes for them. I am learning daily as a mom how to live out grace, mercy and unconditional love towards my children. My mom did it. Not just in that moment, but to this day with me, my siblings and her grandchildren. Don't get it twisted, yes, she holds them accountable to the Truths of God's Word, but when flesh gives way to sin, her arms are open wide with correction, grace and love to point us back to Jesus. I pray that I can continue this legacy that has been lavished upon me so generously with my children and my children to their children.
Is their an area of your life where Jesus is calling you to press in and embrace grace based mothering? Do you need to talk to your mom and say thank you for when she was an example of Jesus to you? Is God calling you to a life changing walk with Him today as a mom? Maybe you didn't have a mom like I did, but you are a mom and you don't want to repeat the behaviors, attitudes or actions you observed in your mom. Jesus is the only one who can heal you, deliver you, restore you and allow you to honor your children the way you desire to for His glory.
xoxo,
Sheb
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