This is an unedited, typewritten letter found in a Mother’s Day card to me, from my mom, who passed away in 2010, 14 years ago now (year of the letter unknown)…
I dedicate her Mother’s Day message to my daughter now, who I’m sure feels it speaks from her heart to her two daughters as well. It is surely the prayer and wish of every Christian mother.
On my happy Mother’s Day!
My Dearest Teresa,
How can I put into words the joy that is in my heart this Mother’s Day?
I must confess that so many times I have knelt in the dark of yet another day’s end, begging God’s forgiveness for my failures with you: my abruptness, harsh words, the ears that hear but tune out your silent pleas for understanding, the eyes that don’t see the hurts of your heart, the omissions of simple pleasures and commissions of parental sins. I beg your forgiveness!
My dear, I won’t always be with you on this earth. You will go through crucibles of sorrows and trials. Don’t allow them to defeat you! Some are tried in the furnace of affliction. Perhaps God will choose to refine you in this way because He wants to see His image restored in you. No matter what happens to you, praise, love, and thank your Savior always. He has promised His strength to those who wait on Him. Man may fail, you may fail at times, but your loving Father will never fail you.
I haven’t always given you what you wanted, perhaps not even what you needed. I pray God will be the sufficiency for my lacks, the gentleness for my impatience, the compassion for my misunderstandings, the calm for my restlessness.
My dear, I want for you what God wants for you. He wants you to be His hero, armed with faith, purity, and humility in a disbelieving, pleasure-seeking, vain world that has no time nor love for its gracious Creator. How sad!
You have come into the world for such a time as this, because God wants you to reflect His care and love to those who will cross your path of life. Fame and riches mean nothing. I beg you not to seek them! It may be that God will put you forward, but it will only be because He has a great work for you. But if He gives much, He will expect much in return. Don’t disappoint your beautiful Savior!
I thank you for giving my life an eternal dimension—for giving me something to live, work, and strive for. You have inspired me and I pray that you love me as much as I love you.
My happy Mother’s Day!
Your Grateful Mother
Don’t forget your mother this coming Sunday, May 12th.
Every mother deserves our recognition and appreciation!
