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I wish Jesus could have been on that TV show By
MARY JANE HOLT
The five-year-old had practiced and practiced for his big moment in the preschool play. His moment came, and he forgot his lines. His mother, sitting on the front row, began to gesture and prompt him. She mouthed the words, but he didn't catch on. Finally, she whispered the cue, "I am the light of the world." The child beamed and with great feeling said in a loud, clear voice, "My mother is the light of the world." I thank God for mothers who are bright, shining lights in our lives. I realize that Mother's Day is next Sunday, but my column fell on this Sunday. So I'm saying, "Hats off to mothers. We love you and appreciate all that you do!" I know the two greatest mothers in the world. I have the greatest mother in the world. She dearly loves us boys, and she dearly loved our father. We had a happy home in which there was much love, encouragement, and nourishment. We were always challenged to do our very best, but never pressured to be someone that we weren't. We were raised in the church (Jefferson Avenue Baptist in East Point in my early days in the 1960s) and spiritual formation and exposure to the Bible were priorities. My mom is still a great cook. She set a good example and taught us right from wrong. She believed in honesty and hard work. She set a high standard for behavior. When we began driving and left the house to meet friends or hang out, she'd always say, "Remember whose little boy you are." Being her son meant something, and there were certain expectations. She treated each son fairly and never showed favoritism. Now I'm married to the greatest mother in the world. My four children think she's overprotective, but she really cares and wants the best for them. She is a nurturer, an encourager, a helper, a seamstress, a baker, a chauffeur, a strong supporter. She has always been there for our children, whether it's cheerleading, cross country, basketball, baseball, chorus, band concerts, honors day, church activities, and piano recitals. She has always shown interest in each child's activities and interests. She also does a wonderful job in the kitchen, especially with her famous "made from scratch" breads and potato rolls. She has always been a "can do" Mom, ("you can do it"), and she has set high expectations. She has gone to great lengths to build a happy home and raise four talented, sharp children. She is truly gifted, and if I do say so myself, has great taste in men. She's a good wife and mother who also sets a great example. Sometimes our moms are not appreciated. A mother, Emily, was furious after renewing her driver's license. Asked by the clerk to state her occupation, the mother had hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is, do you have a job," asked the clerk, "or are you just a . . ." "Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. With quick thinking, she said, "I'm a research associate in the field of child development and human relations." The clerk actually began writing that title down, and as she did, she asked, "just what do you do in your field?" Without any trace of fluster in her voice, Emily replied, "I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field. I'm working for my masters (the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters, she thought). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding and I often have to work 14 hour days. But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are in satisfaction rather than just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered Emily to the door. As she drove into her driveway, uplifted by her new glamorous career, she was greeted by her lab assistants, ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs she could hear her new experimental model, age six months, testing out a new vocal pattern. She felt triumphant! She had beaten bureaucracy! And she had gone on record as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind that "just a mother!" She created a new title for the most important job in the world. (Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville. The congregation meets at 352 McDonough Road and invites you to join them each Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m.).
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