Rising Up To Call My Mom Blessed

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

It’s no secret to those who know my family of origin that my dad and sister have always been the comedians. My mom and I are not particularly funny, though we love to laugh, and also I must qualify that to say that in her old age, even in her dementia, my mom comes up with more zingers now than she ever did when I was growing up.

But my mom certainly played a key role in making sure my sister and I had a happy and fun childhood. My dad was very involved, but it was Mom who took the lead on making sure every holiday and birthday was celebrated in a special way. When my own kids came along, it was my Mom who would comb through scores of pictures to create a poster-sized collage for their birthdays as well as provide cake and fun plates and napkins and plenty of presents. I think that’s one of the things we miss the most now that her brain just doesn’t think of those things anymore. We know it’s still in her heart.

My mom understood the value of traditions. Things didn’t always have to be done exactly the same way every time, but there was a comforting predictability to life in the house I grew up in. On school mornings, Mom would fix us a quick breakfast, and then we were all off to school as both my parents were teachers. The majority of nights we were all at home eating supper together, watching the news, cracking up at Dad’s jokes. Mom would sometimes laugh until there were tears running down her face. Most Friday nights were for eating out and then coming home for popcorn and candy bars and watching television. Saturday mornings Mom made biscuits.

Sunday mornings and evenings were for worship services. Wednesday nights was for Bible class. We would have family meetings to vote on where to go out to eat on Fridays. But we never discussed whether we would go to church. That was a given.

My mom wasn’t perfect. Like everyone, at times she was angry and impatient. Her work as a teacher sometimes kept her busier than I would have liked. She was steadfast in every way, but that meant a high expectation for how things should be done. She didn’t let us get by with much. In my adult life I imitate her in so many ways, good and bad. I bottle up frustration until I snap with harsh words. I’m a bit too good at imagining what might go wrong in any given scenario, but that helps me prepare well for most things. When I’m hopeful but anxious, I can almost hear her saying, “If it’s meant to be, it will work out.” And when something doesn’t work out as hoped, the deep-seated experiences of childhood bring to mind her oft-repeated expression of trust in God’s plan: “I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”

My mother was nothing if not practical and responsible. Those traits may not be exciting, but put them alongside all the good traditions, and they amounted to a very stable and happy childhood for my sister and me. Besides, the quiet traits that the world finds boring are often exactly what God values (cf. 1 Peter 3:4).

She retired from her career as a school teacher after thirty years, but she taught Bible class at church until she just couldn’t keep her train of thought enough anymore. I remember her teaching the book of Esther to us teen girls back in the 80’s. I learned a lot from her teaching, but I learned even more from her example of unassuming faithfulness and steadfast attention to duty. Even now she attends church three times a week and still sings perfect alto in worship. I am blessed to call her Mom.

She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Proverbs 31:27-28

by Christie Cole Atkins

Dear God, I thank You for blessing me with a good mother. This is not how she would want to spend her twilight years, but her trust is in You, and I know someday she will be whole again. You have promised us an eternal home with no tears or pain or death. I trust there will be no confusion either. I can’t wait to be there where we can remember Your goodness and praise You forever. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

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