Interactions with my mom can be so entertaining.  Some are funny, others sad, others maddening and yet others instructive.  It never ceases to amaze me how she can come up with a story about whatever is going on around her.  There are a few I thought I would share in hopes that you too will smile a bit and maybe even be challenged as I have been.

Father’s Day was tough.  I knew it would be.  My desire was to have both mom and dad over for dinner.  This takes much effort.  Lately she’s been staying in bed until late in the day so I was prepared to have to wake her up and get her dressed.  Getting her in the car is always a chore.   I was pleasantly surprised to see her up and sitting on the couch in her pajamas.  My mom has a look that says she is going to be difficult and she was definitely wearing it.  I asked her if she would like to try on the outfit I got out for her.  She replied, “I’m dead”.  This was new.  So I said, “Well you’re the first dead person I have ever talked to.”  Her reply was priceless.  She said, “God told me I could talk with you.  Then He wants me there with him so I can make the other dead people laugh.”  At that point I almost laughed out loud but there was a task to be accomplished and I didn’t have time.  Eventually, we made it to my house and she ate her dinner.  It was a wonderful Father’s Day.

In my time working with my mom I have come to the conclusion that God must have a category of acceptable lies.  In order to get my mom dressed, I take her clothes out of the closet and tell her I bought her something she needs to try on.  If I don’t convince her of this, I can’t get her dressed.  Every shower time is filled with persuading stories and remarks that I make up as I go along.  This week she was complaining that she was not getting in the tub then added who was going to make her.  I laughingly said, “It’s your fault.  You’re the one who had the daughter.”  She stopped moving and looked at me and said, “How did you know I had daughters?”  So of course I asked their names.  She replied, “Denise and well I can’t remember the other ones names.”  At that moment I really don’t know who I was but whoever it was got her in the shower.

Sometimes there are the challenges.  She doesn’t know she challenges me but she does.  It was another shower day and she had refused to go into the bathroom.  Instead she went into one of the bedrooms and sat on the bed.  She looked up to the wall and saw the graduation pictures of my brothers and me.  She named us all correctly.  I was very happy with that.  Then she looked to the other wall and said, “And there’s Gabe and Barbie and that other boy.”  The other boy is one of my nephews.  She then stared at the floor and said, “Denise raised him too.  His mother just dropped him off on her porch.  Denise never complained.”  I stood there thinking I want to be that Denise.  The one she was describing was not me.  I complain probably too much.  Actually any complaint is too much.

God used my mom once again to challenge me in my walk as a follower of Christ.

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16

How many times have I complained about what I have to do for my mom?  How many times have I questioned the lot I have in life right now?  How many times have I considered how my mom raised me to serve others?  My mom has been a blessing to me throughout my life.  God is still making her a blessing to me.  I need to look more like what my mom speaks of when she speaks of me.  I need to look more like what God speaks of when he speaks of me.

            “I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20