Lessons From My Mother…

She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:

Proverbs 31:27-28 NIV

 

  I’ll admit I’d been dreading this weekend for weeks. Losing my mother at the first of March, I was keenly aware that Mother’s Day would soon be upon me and I’d have to somehow get through it.

Yet, my favorite cousin reached out to me and convinced me to celebrate this weekend and not dread it. After a bit of reflection, I realized he was right.

I was blessed with a wonderful mother, the kind of person I’d believed I could never take for granted. Now months after her passing, even with the best of intentions, I realize I did.

Still, she left me far more blessings than I’ll ever be able to count. I thank God for my years with her and challenge you to make time to remember and appreciate the special women in your own life.

Celebrate your mother, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, godmothers, teachers, community leaders and any women who have positively impacted you. If possible, give them flowers while they can smell them and kind words while they can hear them.

Here are a few lessons I learned from my mom…

Keep your eyes on your destination, not your location

Good manners show you value other people

The merits of a good education

A great attitude will take you farther than a good education

Money can’t buy common sense

Don’t expect anything you aren’t willing to work for

How to cook with love

How to give generously

Unconditional love

How to pray

And finally, even as I was losing her, my mother managed to teach me one final lesson.

Be still and trust God.

Not knowing what each day would bring, Mommy demonstrated how to trust God and peacefully wait on the Lord. She kept her faith and kept her cool all the while concerned about everyone else.

I’m pretty sure I’m not yet mature enough to handle all the obstacles she overcame as graciously as she did throughout her lifetime. She set the bar mighty high.

But maybe one day…

Happy Mother’s Day Mommy

 

By Lilka Finley Raphael

Author, Editor, Gardner, Photographer, Pharmacist

35 comments

  1. I send my condolences. My mom passed away when i was in sixth grade and she continues to teach me lessons to this day. And now I have the pleasure of writing about them on here 🙂 Keep up the good work!

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  2. Thank you for such a beautiful post. It sounds like she did an amazing job raising you and teaching you so many valuable things. Such a blessing to have a mother like that. The time here is but fleeting and now she can enjoy her walk alongside our saviour.

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    1. I am indeed very grateful to have had here and you are so very correct our time her is fleeting. I have solace in the fact that she is no longer in any discomfort and is in God’s hands. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

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  3. What a blessed tribute to your mom. I lost my mom in March of 2013. God is so good to have given me a wonderful mom and I can see you feel the same. Many blessings to you and thank you for following my blog. I look forward to reading more of yours and I love you pictures. Patricia

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    1. Thanks Patricia! I feel fortunate to have had her as a mother. I’m still adjusting to her not being here but still counting my blessings. Thanks so much for stopping by. I’ll definitely see you around 🙂 Photography has morphed into my phototherapy 😉

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  4. My heart breaks for your loss sweet Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua Lilka!! God Bless You and Your Family and Friends!!

    May our ONE True GOD the FATHER who art in HEAVEN ABOVE Bless All my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends!!

    Love Always and Shalom ( Peace ) Everyone, YSIC \o/

    Kristi Ann

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    1. Thanks Susan! I’m focusing on the good. Friends and family have been especially kind and I am grateful. It is a rather bittersweet day but I’m trying to emphasize the sweet. Peace and love to you and enjoy a wonderful weekend!

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  8. Lilia, I share in knowing how blessed we are to have what our mothers taught us, even though they are gone. Nothing can take those things from us, but are eternal and passed from generation to generation. We praise Him for His goodness in giving us the mothers we keep in our memories. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

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  11. Happy Mothers Day Lilka, I am so sorry for your lost. I know that your favorite cousin was right about celebrating Mothers Day. I should have called you sooner, but I am doing work on the house and trying to keep my mind stayed on Jesus. I love you and your family. Have a great mothers day for yourse;f

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  15. She sounds like a great mom from your writing. And although she’s gone home now, her memory will survive her in your thoughts, actions, ways, and maybe even your storytelling.
    Her child did raise up and called her blessed 💗

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