"Hear, my son, your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck." Proverbs 1:8-9
I was thinking of my mother today- she went home to the Lord some years ago- and when this verse was read in church, i reflected: what was my mother's teaching?
She taught that love was a commitment and not only a feeling- she taught me this day in and day out through faithfulness to my father even in the midst of difficult times.
She taught that care and fellowship were precious characteristics of the Body of Christ- she taught me this by passionately pursuing the gathering and bonding of believers.
She taught that while hospitality is an art, it is foremost a heart- she taught me this through preceding service and hosting with a real love for the brethren. Hospitality was a means of grace- and a gift given to the Body to lend such tender empathy to fellowship.
She taught that Jesus is enough- she taught me this in word and deed; wild with faith, she ever spoke with boldness and lived in joyful submission to Truth in the person of Jesus Christ.
My mother's teaching was that life was to be lived in faith in Jesus Christ-and that faith in Jesus Christ was to be lived in life. Its my desire to ever heed this exhortation in Proverbs- and never forsake my mother's teaching. Its a graceful wreath to my head and ornaments about my neck. As I walk in it, I know full well that I am crowned and graced with her wisdom, which she drew ever and always from the steadfast Word of God.
I thank God for my mother, whose life and love continue to be a gift and grace to me even in her absence.
(i don't wear glasses, and am rarely brunette- but hair dye and fashion frames give the illusion of a stronger resemblance between me and my mother...and thats kind of nice.)