The topic today at Thankful Thursday is being thankful for Mom.
My mom was at stay-at-home mom in a spiritually unequal marriage. What's worse is that for many years my father was an alcoholic. For most of her married life, she lived a thousand miles away from most of her family. A lot of the time, she had no vehicle, so she was stuck at home with three kids.
Yet, I don't remember her being particularly depressed or resentful over her lot in life. Yes, there were times she was angry with my dad, and we knew it, but she didn't hold grudges or make the atmosphere around the home uncomfortable.
Looking back, I realize that our home was our haven, a shelter from the world. It's remarkable when I think of it because life with an alcoholic is anything but peaceful. Women really do influence the atmosphere of home, so it was because of my mom that it always felt good to come home.
She kept our home running smoothly, but the two main things that I remember that she always did was serve a hot meal at the dinner table every night of our lives, and take us to church every Sunday morning without fail.
It would have been so easy for her to not go to church. When your husband doesn't go, you can come up with all kinds of reasons to stay home. Yet she didn't give in to temptation. She was determined to raise her kids in church. And it paid off. Her husband did quit drinking and got saved and went to church with her the rest of his life, and today all three of her children are involved in church.
I'm so thankful that I had a mom who hung in there when times were tough and set the example for me. I'm sure her reward in heaven is going to be great!
If you'd like to hear about other moms, visit Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.
You have indeed been blessed with such a wonderful mom. Happy TT!
ReplyDeleteWow, Jerri. That is a truly amazing story. Your mom sounds like a wonderful lady, and what a great testimony of God working in your family and blessing her faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Your Mom sounds alot like mine except mine worked outside the home and they finally divorced after 34 years of marriage. She just couldn't take it anymore. But she never complained and always came through for us despite tough odds. And Daddy finally quit drinking...after she left. Go figure. Happy Thankful Thursday to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet tribute to a mom who was faithful to raise her children knowing who God and showing you how to persevere even when things were difficult. Thank you for your honesty about her childhood, and your alcoholic father. I know many will be blessed by you, today.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post sweetie.
ReplyDeleteWhere would we be without a good mother's example? Great post.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful thaks to you Mom, she is an inspiration and shows what one can do in spect of circumstances when God is in her life. Happy Mother's Day
ReplyDeletejerri, your mom is strong willed. her testimony of not giving in and giving up is an inspiration to me. thank you for sharing. God bless.
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