Dear Fellow Children of God,
On mother’s day, instead of asking for a gift, my wife gave a gift to our children in writing. This week my e-mail is entitled “Thoughts from the Pastors’ Wife – Mothers’ Day.”
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A note for my kids on Mother's Day
I drove for 4 hours to Kenai today, watched Tim play baseball for 4 hours, and drove 4 hours back. I loved it. It was a great way to spend the day. I had a lot of time by myself to think about Tim graduating and leaving for college in a few short months, and to miss my own Mother.
I hope my kids don’t think I need candy, or flowers, or a gift, or anything special tomorrow. For me, the gift is getting to be their Mother. I wasn’t very confident about my skills at the beginning, and I have sure made a lot of mistakes along the way. Jonathan had confidence in me , even though I wasn't so sure about it. Without his support and God's help, I hate to think how it might have turned out.
I did manage to teach 4 rowdy kids how to go to the potty (one of my favorite cards from Andy says thank you for all the things you taught me, especially that potty thing, it comes in handy every day!) and ride bicycles, and chew with their mouths closed (mostly) say prayers, do laundry, vacuum, drive, and make chocolate chip cookies. They learned about country music and barbecue and sweet tea. The boys know white socks do not go with dress clothes. We ate supper together most nights, had family devotions fairly often, went to church on Sunday, and read bedtime stories.
I fell short in the math department, and I am afraid I taught them to take on too many projects, not finish them, procrastinate, stay up late, and stash chocolate for emergencies. And I am still struggling with that clean your room thing, myself. . I have prayed this prayer for them, nearly every night...”For my children to have their gifts and talents revealed, to know the calling of God in their lives, to have doors opened to them, and to become all they were created to be. “ Amen!
Somehow, probably mostly in spite of my parenting, they grew up to be much better than anything I could have ever imagined for them. I like that they think I can make just about anything with my sewing machine, and they consult me with medical questions. I like when they end phone conversations with “love you”. I like watching them do what they do well, and I am honored to be able to support them when things fall apart. My absolute favorite thing is hearing them laugh together.
I have been privileged to give some mothering to a number of kids who are not my own, too, and other folks have done that for mine. One of my favorite phone calls was a couple of years ago on Mothers’ Day from a young man who said “it took a lot of Mothers to raise me, and you were one of them” still makes me cry when I think about it.
So, I have the gift already. It is four grown and nearly grown kids who know more than I could have possibly taught them, and who will be more than I ever dreamed for them. If they want to do anything for Mother’s Day, I hope it is not to praise me, I will just be embarrassed. Instead, they could keep on showing up on time, working hard, being honest, saying their prayers and making me laugh. OK, I wouldn’t mind if the dishwasher was emptied. And I hope they always remember, that no matter what happens, their Mother will still love them.
My favorite bible verse is 3 John v 4. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” I am joyful, and blessed, and proud to be their Mother. Every day.
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A Child of God, Blessed by God with my Christian wife
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Kathy posted this for all on “Facebook.” If you want, you may “ask to be our friends” on Facebook.
P.P.S. Thank you, Kathy, for being my wife and mother to my children. I love you.
P.P.P.S (whew) After working in the yard, here is what Jake and I did Monday afternoon.
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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.
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