Things I’ve learned from my mom

Today is my mother’s birthday, and Mother is one of my best friends. I am blessed with loving parents who cheer their kids on and love them equally. 

However, I wanted to share some things I’ve learned from my mom.

First, go to the beach as often as you can.

My mom grew up in Iowa, where there are no beaches, however, if you close your eyes, maybe the endless cornfields could be imagined as a beach. My mom loves the beach. She loves walking along the beach. Breathing in the salty sea air and just allowing the beach’s calming powers to help her clear her head. She knows when to take time and just experience God’s creation and just be. Just dwell in her thoughts, and in that moment of just dwelling, she can come to answers she is looking for. 

Being a mediator is sometimes how you show people you love.

Okay, so my dad and I use to have a troubled relationship. Papa Bear and I are both stubborn, headstrong people. My mom always the mediator during these outbursts. Taking all the hurtful things, we would throw at each other, and she absorbed all those things but was respectful, and then even after the havoc was wreaked dared to face both of us and help smooth things over. Her dedication to her family was a strong pillar during hard times. 

God will never give you more than you can handle

Mother has said this to me multiple times. God will never give you more than you can handle. I have watched my mother journey through lots of hardships, and her faith never wavered. Or at least to my vision. She woke up every morning and smiled and made us breakfast, ready to face the day, and whatever God gave her. Sometimes teaching us, doing errands, helping make sure dinner was on the table for Papa Bear, and making time to listen to all our problems.

The best way to approach conflict is with grace and respect. 

I have watched my mom approach a lot of conflicts, especially being a mother with a child with special needs. Every battle my mom showed grace and respect. Instead of using her anger and frustration to overwhelm her perspective, she listened to all concerns and used grace and respect to come to a conclusion. Conflicts with others happen; however, the only way to get to a compromise is through listening, respect, and grace.

Meeting someone where they are is the best way to get to know someone.

In a way, I can thank my love for Super Hero movie to my mom. It was 2008, and Iron Man came out right around mother’s day. My mom could have picked going to breakfast or even going to the beach. However, she chose to go to the movies with her kids to the newest super hero movie. My brother and I were thrilled. Suddenly the cinematic universe was something that we did a family. We watch all the fights and all the triumphs. My mom would ask questions and get excited with us. She would always listen to us and let us tell her about things that make us happy. In that simple way, she got to spend time with her children and see them who they are. She became our biggest fan.

Finally, I learned that faith is hard but at times, straightforward.

My mother’s faith is simple. She believes that God will provide because of that who God is. She knows that hard times come but believes without a doubt that the sun will rise, and rainbows will follow rainstorms. My mom sees God in everything from the flowers that grow or the mountains in a national park. She also sees God work in hardships and moments when she feels faint. My mother’s faith is steady and ever-changing. 


So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

TTFN and God Bless you and Keep You.