Her children rise up and call her blessed...

Dear Mom,

Tomorrow is the day we have always honored you. We write you cards, give you gifts and tell you that we love you. This year, that didn't quite seem enough. You have given me so much more than I can fit in a card or summarize with "Happy Mother's Day!"

You raised me with love and in the fear of the Lord. Almost every morning we had "Bible time" and I still remember drawing out the Psalms and Proverbs. What you instilled in us at a young age has left it's mark; it has not returned void. You taught the Word and it's principles in everyday life. Loving God was always more than merely going to Church, it was a way of life to be passionately pursued. In everything you taught us to seek the Lord. 

You spurred our creativity. Nothing was ordinary in our house. You cared more about our learning than a spotless house. Indian teepees, Pioneer wagons, Medieval castles, and forts of all shapes and sizes donned our living room more often than not. Once, you built us an ear that we could actually crawl through, and another time you really made me carry water like I had gotten it from well. You didn't just teach us, you made learning come to life.

Mom, you taught me how to love life. You are certainly more of a free spirit than uptight, and I love and appreciate that about you. Our home was always a happy and upbeat place because of you. I can't even count all the dance sessions we had while cleaning up the kitchen or the late nights you spent with us laughing in our rooms. Life was always an adventure to you. We could be lost in the middle of downtown Atlanta, but you said "It's an adventure kids!" Even going to the mall with you was "an adventure in how to be patient" especially for the boys! I can already tell that I'm going to be just like that with our kids as well.

You are very bold and are not afraid of being different. Your love for the Lord flows out into telling others about Him. I love that you simply cannot hold it back. I am so grateful for the weeks we spent in India together. It was a huge blessing for me to share Christ with my precious mother by my side. I loved watching you share the Good News of Jesus so passionately! You are set apart because of your passion for Christ. I am so thankful that I have such a wonderful example to follow.

You've always been there for me Mom. You have served us with such love for our entire lives. It brings tears to my eyes when I think of all that you sacrificed for us, and how ungrateful I have been at times. I am so very blessed to have a mother that loved me so much. You loved me enough to discipline me, to correct me, to teach me, and to train me up in the way that I should go. Not only that, but you hurt when I hurt, you were joyful when I was joyful, you were proud when I accomplished something and so much more. I have become who I am because of you. Your love and support has given me the desire to go after great things.

Your love for the Savior is unparalleled. I am so thankful that I grew up in a home where my mother read the Bible and lived out it's principles. I have so many sweet memories of us sharing what the Lord had taught us and reading God's Word together. When you pray, it is powerful. When you worship, it is authentic and often with tears. I have never doubted that you fear the Lord. 

One of the things I am most thankful for is how you loved Dad. You have truly shown me how to love and honor a husband. I pray to be a wife like you have been to Dad. You always supported him, deferred to him, followed his leadership and showed him how much you loved him. We respected him because you respected him. He is certainly worthy of it! I can remember several times when you just broke down in front of us and cried saying "I am so blessed to have your father as a husband!" You have shown me how to be faithful. You always did what he asked, even if it wasn't convenient - You made it a priority. I can't tell you how thankful I am for your example as a wife!

Mom, you are so beautiful. You radiate Christ and His love. You are an amazing woman and I hope to follow in your steps.

See the great heritage you are leaving for your children? We rise up today and call you blessed. "Many have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the fruits of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." (Proverbs 31:29-31) We praise you Momma!

I am blessed to call you Mom. You have given me so much that I can never repay. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for us. You are one of the most precious gifts that God has given to me.

I love you!

Your daughter,

Jennifer