Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Mom’s Mini Messages

 

It’s been said that no matter how old we are, we never outgrow our need for a mother. I’m in my 60s and I wholeheartedly concur with that statement. Nearly every day I remember some type of wisdom that Mom shared with me. She was a stay-at-home mother so I spent a lot of time with her and I‘m so grateful. She was an excellent role model because she taught me by words and example. Even though we haven’t had a conversation for ten years now, the tape recorder in my memory replays her good and encouraging words quite often. I’m very thankful for her love and voice that I continue to hold in my heart. In 1996, I spoke at a Mother-Daughter Banquet where Mom was presented with the “Exemplary Mother” award. I’d never thought of describing my mom with that adjective. But when she flew away to Heaven in 2015, we had “An Exemplary Life” engraved on her headstone.

 

I think the first scripture Mom began to drill into my head was Numbers 32:23. I can’t remember if I’d done something specific, but all during my childhood she would say to me, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” I figured that if I did something bad, my parents or God or both would find out and the fur would fly.

 

Here‘s another vital scripture Mom quoted to me: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20 NKJV). I didn’t understand the part about putting hot coals on someone’s head; that didn‘t sound like a good thing to do. Nevertheless, Mom wanted me to learn the lesson of  being nice and doing good things for people who weren’t nice to me.

 

She often quoted Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” She did an outstanding job of practicing this. She always had a big smile, a big laugh, and sometimes she’d even “cackle” when she got really tickled. Mom wasn’t a storyteller or a joke teller, but she sure got a kick out of everyone else’s funny stories. It’s been scientifically proven that laughter improves our mood and overall well-being. It reduces stress and tension, and also helps in bonding with others. I think a lifestyle of having a merry heart and laughing with family and friends is kinda’ like the glue that sticks us together. The ability to laugh together is bound to be a gift from God.

 

One time Mom and I were in the kitchen and, I don’t know what prompted this scripture, but she quoted, “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1 KJV). You just can’t have an argument when someone has a smile and kind response. Mom was the first to show mercy and the last to pass judgment. She power-walked in her faith and she never wavered. She studied her Bible and practiced what she read. Her life was well lived and she was well loved.

 

Mothers are so important in how their children begin life and how they end life, and everything in between. “Hats off” to mothers in their constant efforts to nurture, teach, train, and love their off-spring. Mothers should be celebrated every day because they’re loving, relentless, valuable, selfless, beautiful, funny, and tough as nails.

 

The Key:  Exemplary mothers never go out of style. Keep up the good work!