A few years ago my mom showed up at a meeting hobbled up and struggling a good bit to get around. I asked what had happened and there was a trailer, a staircase and a winter concert involved in the tale. Over night it became obvious that some assistance would be necessary, but I couldn’t take the day to go with mom to my hometown, to help her out. Abie, my wife, let me know that she was able to help. I paused as it wasn’t something I had even considered at the time. She was able and willing to take her home, stay with her for a couple of days while she got things checked and finished packing for a trip to California. It was just no big deal. It was just what she was all about, helping to calm a storm.

There are so many ways that she is the one for me. She calms me when I’ve lost my way. Tells me when I’m wrong. Loves me for me, the good, the bad and the ugly. This love is best exhibited with our kids. Its not all sunshine and roses, but she works to show them how to love truly…not the way the world counts love, but true love.

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a (ESV) Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

On mothers day I have been reflecting on our moms. Ours lost their husbands, our fathers, the last few years. I realize that choosing who to share this life with is incredibly important. When I was younger I had various ideas on who might be a good spouse, they were many of the ideas you would expect. However, after these years of experience, I have begun to tell my children to choose a spouse who shares their faith and values. Those two things matter, the rest is not important.

In March of 2022 I ran into a bride in Florida who was having a very busy night before her wedding. I told her I would do it all again. Then I asked if he shared her faith and values…after thoughtfully pondering the question, she replied, “yeah”. “Then you all will be just fine, you can work through all the rest”. It’s not easy, but it will all be worth it!

Today I reflect on how lucky we are to have our moms. For me, I would make the same choice over. In the good times and the bad, she makes all the difference.