Growing up in a single-parent home, being the youngest of four and the only girl, it was definitely not a picture-perfect "Cosby family" upbringing. I was 11 years old when my mother and father divorced and even at such a young age, with my curious mind and my never-ending questions, the one thing I never had to wonder about was my mom's dedication and love for me and my siblings. I watched my mom work so hard and sacrifice SO much.....SO MUCH y'all, so that me and my brothers could live what some might call a "normal" life and not want for anything. Of course at the age of 11, I was in kind of an awkward stage in life, just learning about "girl stuff" and trying to figure out who I was. I struggled with some things as a young child that made it difficult for me to get a grip on my identity, who I really was. I know that it was by the grace of God that my mother was able to provide for us, be strong for us and love us unconditionally in spite of our weirdness. Now when I say weirdness, I'm simply suggesting that we all had our own unique battles to deal with. My mother had to be mommy AND daddy to us and she did a heck of a job too, you hear me!
What I love most is that the bond and the friendship that we have today is genuine. My mom is truly a friend to me. Now don't get me wrong, she can "cut your tape" too when it comes to discipline and correction. But what you find underneath, is a prevailing love that is gentle and humble and fashioned to bring out the best. There is absolutely hands down no comparison to a(my) mother's love. I've made some straight up stupid decisions over my 27 years of life and most of the time it was against my better judgment AND my mother's wisdom. I know I've kept my mother up some nights. I've made her cry, I've made her angry, I've made her cry out to God on my behalf and in the midst of it all, her love never ceased or diminished one bit. She prayed for me with everything in her and to this day she doesn't hesitate to go to God on my behalf. She is one of the greatest examples of love to me besides our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Now that I'm older, we both recognize the challenges I face in my adult life due to the difficulties that occurred in my childhood. And although nothing happens overnight, I see her prayers being answered. I see what God is doing. I see Him leading me to a place of freedom, freeing me from those struggles and insecurities, giving me the confidence to accept who He made me to be and loving that person mightily. Now, I'm definitely still under construction, but I am certainly not who I used to be and by the grace of God I am becoming the woman he called forth before he placed me in my mother's womb. My mom has been right by my side through it all. She's been there to encourage me, to love me, to stay up with me when I couldn't sleep and just needed to talk or vent and share her unfathomed godly insight and wisdom. She's never been forceful or hopeless towards me, always gentle and understanding. She's never treated me as if she was disappointed. She always simply went to God and trusted Him to complete what He started in me. She's never been judgmental, she's always allowed me to experience life and the decisions I made with an open heart and open arms.
Today, I am blessed to say that I trust the God in her. I trust the love in her. And I trust the friend in her. I couldn't have prayed for a better mother. God knew just what he was doing when he entrusted me to her and today I call her blessed!! I honor her wisdom and I cherish her love. I embrace her friendship and I rejoice in her purpose! She doesn't need any titles behind her name or any fancy accolades to define her. She is a genuine representation of a woman of faith and a TRUE definition of a Proverbs 31 woman. Although she's short in stature, she's a giant in WISDOM!!! She has a beautiful sweet spirit that only a fool couldn't recognize and even when she encounters those said fools, she doesn't change one bit!
I encourage you all today to celebrate your mothers with pride and excellence, not just this weekend but everyday. Do all you can to bring honor to them and bless them with your best. No matter what you've gone through with your mom, make a decision today to love them as the precious gifts God made them. After all, YOU wouldn't be here without them.
To my QQ family who've lost your moms, I know that this weekend may be a little difficult for you. But let me encourage you to cherish the memories you have with your mom. Remember the good times and the days God allowed you to be with her. And most importantly, CHOOSE to live your life in honor and dignity from this day forward, honoring the life of your mother. And as long as you hold on to those beautiful memories of your mom, she will forever remain alive in you hearts!!
Happy Mother's day to all of the mother's in my life, to all of my friends who are mothers and to my one and only God-sent mother, Rachel R. Penns!
Mom, "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" - Proverbs 31:29 (MSG)
Happy Mother's Day!
-Queen
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