This week I want to honor the most amazing woman I have ever known, my beautiful mother. Her life has always been marked by obedience, sacrifice, and selflessness.
She is a strong, faith filled woman who has persevered through more than most people could ever imagine. Born in Puerto Rico in the 1940s in very humble beginnings, she grew up in a home with nine siblings. Though she was poor in material things, she was rich in faith, love, strength, and character. As the oldest daughter, she was taken out of school after the 6th grade so she could help care for the home, cook for the farmers, and raise her younger siblings. Every morning at 5:30 a.m., she would walk nearly a mile to the river carrying heavy drums of water back home. Then she would stand on a crate to cook for the workers on their farm, clean, care for the house, and do whatever else was needed.
At 19 years old, she came to the United States and worked hard, faithfully sending money back home to help support her parents. She learned English and earned her GED. As far back as I can remember, she has sacrificed her wants and desires for the needs of her family. She has encouraged me, loved me, and taught me how to love Jesus. She showed me what perseverance in prayer and faith looks like through every hardship and trial she endured. When I became pregnant at 18, (along with my dad) she stood beside me without hesitation. She encouraged me to keep moving forward in my education. She left her job when my daughter was born to take care of her along with all her other grandchildren and nieces for many years. No matter the mistakes I made, or my times of rebellion that hurt her, she always stood there with open arms, lifting me up, reminding me who I was, and reminded me often to set my gaze on Jesus.
She is my confidant, my prayer warrior, and my rock (besides Jesus!). She has prayed away my fears, doubts, and stood by during each season of my life. She has celebrated every victory with me, cried with me and prayed me through very difficult times of my life. She has helped propel me into the woman I am today. What my mother taught me is that love is not transactional. That family stands for each other no matter what. Regardless of what happened or the mistakes I made, there was nothing I could do to lose her love. Through her example, I was able to understand the unconditional love of God.
I thank God every day for this incredible woman, for her wisdom, her unwavering love, her prayers, her encouragement, and the way she continues to trust God even in the middle of life’s storms. I truly know the love of God through the gift of having her as my mother.
Today my prayer is that the Lord would pour out blessings upon her, fill her with joy, strengthen her body, and grant her many more healthy years of life. May He continue to give her the desires of her heart.
“Her children rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28
I love you, Mami. Happy Mother’s Day…
