Celebrate Mom

Today we celebrate mothers. It's a day we give mom's of all walks of life a break and serve them. This is very contrary to their lives of service to us throughout the year.

I look at my wife, Lori's life. The majority of her waking hours are devoted to planning, supporting and administering care for our three kids. She is: a counselor; a cop; a tutor; a pastor; a doctor; a banker; a guard; a playmate; a friend and much more. This is no different than the role of mothers across history.

I looked on the front page of the San Diego Union Tribune today. There is a story of a daughter's love for her mother. The girl was adopted years ago. At 2 months old she had parents who were drug addicts. The "to be" mother's eyes stared at this fithy baby with lice ridden hair. This mother, Valarie Bautista, took in Selena and the all the issues of an young infant with health problems and raised her as her own. Now, Selena is a normal 14 year old girl, showcasing the fact that her mother loved her. She didn't have to, but she CHOOSE to.

There are numerous stories of Mom's laying their entire lives aside to focus on their children. God has really blessed us by giving us our mothers.

I now look back to when I was a child and think of all the things my mother did for me. Oh, how I took it for granted. I remember when Mother's Day was coming up and I said to my Mom, "Why don't they have 'Kids Day' "? My Mom laughed and said, "everyday is Kids Day"...... So true!

But as we approached today, many of my thoughts go to my sister, Peggy and her family. I think of her unyielding devotion to her children. She has all the traits of a devoted mother. A few months before she went on to be with Jesus, I can remember her being frustrated with the physical state she was in. It held her back. Held her back from what? Not the stuff she wanted to do for herself. But, the stuff that was her passion, raising her kids. She wanted to make dinner, run the kids to practice, to school, to volunteer in class. She just wants to be a Mom to her kids. It is sad that she is gone to be with Jesus. I think of Lexie, Trinity and Josh and the tremendous void in their lives.

Then my thoughts shift to the blessing that Peggy is to them. I say "IS".... the present! Why? ..... Because Peggy "IS" not "WAS".

Let's think about it...

Peggy "IS":

• Lexie, Trinity and Josh's Mom!


• An influence on their lives for the rest of their lives


• Alive


• With the Lord


• A blessing to her children by the memory of her love

Mother's Day for Peggy's family is a celebration of all the things she IS doing. That celebration and influence on the present will never go away.

While it is tough to understand why Peggy is gone. There is no sorrow for her. In fact this may be the best Mother's Day she has ever experienced. Why would I say that? Am I ignoring the fact that she is away from her kids?

Well...I can't explain it other than what God's Word has told us. It is best said in Philippians 1:19 to 26, focusing on verse 21..."For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." I feel confident in saying it must be an awesome Mother's Day in Heaven. Whether our Mom's are present with us or not, we can celebrate the present blessings they are in our lives.

Happy Mother's Day