Wishful Words of a Mother
On this Mother’s Day, I reflected on the years spent with my two sons. Although grown now, Ryan and Branden said and did things when they were younger that still penetrate my heart today. As I thought of them, I chuckled, smiled, and even cried. I periodically remind them of two unfulfilled promises below. The walk back in time triggered precious memories and what I perceived as wishful words from them.
I can hear Branden say, “Mama, if I could give you every wish you make, I would. I wish I could give you the dream house you want. I would fill it with all of your friends and have room for all the grandkids and family.”
I’m still waiting on this promise…
I can hear Ryan say, “Mama, I wish I could give you that restaurant I promised you when I played football at the age of sixteen. I would provide your own private chef so you would never need to cook another meal.”
Of course, I’m still waiting on this one too…
I can hear them both say, “Mama, I wish I could change some things in the past I did or said to hurt your heart. I wish I would have listened to you more. I wish I would have trusted your decisions for me. I wish…”
I stopped because, truthfully, these last ones represented wishful words from me to my mother who went home to be with the Lord two years ago. So, as I pondered over these and other wishes for my mother, my thoughts took an unexpected turn to what I want my sons to know.
Branden and Ryan, as your mother, I wish I would have:
said fewer hurtful words to discourage you and exchanged them with thousands of words of encouragement
listened to you more to understand your hearts’ desires so that I could better equip you for life’s ups and downs
criticized your efforts less and applauded them more with cheers for your attempts to try new things
taught you better with my actions than my words
made less mistakes as your mother.
I hope that you can see that I tried to:
exert some positive influence on your lives
be sure you immersed yourselves in the Word of God and hung around people living out their faith
point you in the right direction, but let you make some mistakes, while helping you pick up the pieces and grow
lead by example on important issues of life.
In spite of all my failures, I wish and hope you both know how much I:
love you with all of my heart
feel thankful and blessed God gave you to me
enjoy our beautiful son and mother relationships
love the men you are being molded into by God
love you no matter what you do or say
desire for you to chalk up my failures to my head and not my heart—my heart was always for your best
count it all joy that I am your mother!
I can never thank the Lord enough for my sons. I wish they knew how much they taught me, gave me, and did for me to help me grow as a mother. Branden and Ryan, thank you! I am proud of you, and I love you both so much!
Mothers, if you feel the same about your children, please tell them!
I don’t know about you, but I feel incredibly blessed. As the saying goes, “With all the wrong I’ve done, I must have done something right!” With the Lord’s guidance and help, He allowed me to raise two strong men of God.
Why? Simply …
