Sweet Memories, Chocolate chip cookies And other Jesus wrapped lessons from my Mom

The lilacs fragrant scent, warbling wrens and warm temperatures remind me of the beauty in Spring.

We anxiously await the relief from bitter cold, grey winter days. Yet, the work is beginning for those who tend the soil, weed the garden and cut the grass.

Changes in seasons often help us reflect on our own growth or lack thereof.

It can be good but often mixed with regret for the things we’ve done. We all have them don’t we?

While there’s room for growth, we can choose to look back on sweet times. And learn from the worst.

In a church service on Sunday, Pastor’s words struck my heart. He said,  “Battle scars and wounds are the true signs of a Jesus follower.”

That could describe my own mom to a T.

She learned valuable lessons and passed them down to her children and grand children. Like most moms, I’m certain she has felt unappreciated for her hard work and regrets certain ways she chose to parent us. Haven’t we all?

To honor her here, some lessons I remember wrapped up in the sweetness of Jesus.

Mom insisted on Sunday worship.

I remember the peace of sitting on the hard pew of our Catholic church. As a child it was difficult to sit still and difficult for my posterior. Yet, it became a place of comfort and safety where God was near. It wasn’t until my twenties when I received a greater revelation of who Jesus is. The seeds of faith were surely sown here.

Mom worked outside of the home to help dad provide food and clothing for our family.

She woke up most mornings with a smile on her face. And regaled us with stories of her coworkers shenanigans while we ate dinner. She taught us to not take ourselves too seriously. And it is an honor to put others first.

Mom said no to fast food.

It wasn’t until I was an adult that I learned we couldn’t afford to buy McDonalds or other processed food. Now in my 60’s, I’m grateful for the great health I enjoy due to that foundation of healthy eating. Okay, so we loved our food…

Mom chose a ‘work first then play’ ethic.

My sister, twin brother and I had chores to do as young kids. Everyone had a job and when we finished the rest of the day was to go swim, play outside, or climb a tree to read a good book. I’m certain this instilled my love of reading on a lazy summer day.

Or, maybe, it was a way to get out of chores to enjoy a lazy summer day?

Every Christmas, mom made her famous chocolate chip cookies and ‘hid’ them in decorative cans under her bed to enjoy later.

I’m not sure of the lesson learned except treats baked with love and snuck from under the bed are indeed the ‘sweetest’.

Do you have a sweet memory of your mom? Please share, I do care.

To all you mama’s, whether by birth, adoption, or by adding value into a young person’s days—

Happy Mother’s Day!