I have a wonderful mother.

I marvel unto this day, this 49th Mother’s day of my life, that God saw fit to put me into my particular family, my particular mother’s arms, because it was an idyllic way to be raised. She stopped whatever she was doing to play with me, read to me, and listen to me. She stayed up for me when I was on a date, not to lord my curfew over me, but to talk and see how it went. She has made a big deal of me my whole life, making me feel confident and loved. I say this with all humility and complete understanding that not everyone is born to such a mother. Not everyone has that type of background or example, and the older I get, the more I realize it…the more I cherish it and try not to take it for granted.

I also realize that having my own children is another gift over which to marvel. I have friends and acquaintances who’ve done everything humanly possible to have their own children. Some have become mothers through the miracle of adoption, while others either wait for that miracle, or accept that God has a different plan.

Here, in the middle years of my life, I’ve learned that being a mother does not necessarily just apply to parent and child. I mean, really, what is a mother? A nurturer, I think. An encourager and guide. A comforter. A listener. A mender of broken wings and broken hearts, to enable flight once again. Whether or not you’ve ever given birth, you can be a mother, because everyone – EVERYONE – needs a person to give them those things. And whether or not your own mother possesses or offers these qualities, there is someone out there who can.

There are mothers everywhere, as long as there are those out there like this…

The most visible creators I know of are those artists whose medium is life itself. The ones who express the inexpressible – without brush, hammer, clay or guitar. They neither paint nor sculpt -their medium is being. Whatever their presence touches has increased life. They see and don’t have to draw, they are the artists of being alive.  ~ J. Stone

We all, regardless of our backgrounds with our own moms, or our personal experience as mothers, have around us people who need a listening ear, to be filled up with encouragement…people who need to be loved. Look around. Find a mom. BE a mom. Seize and be thankful for the opportunity to excel at the art of mothering.

And with that, I wish you ALL a Happy Mother’s Day.

“She opens her mouth with wisdom,and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 ESV

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 ESV

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

P.S. I love you, Mom. You are the BEST.