To all those spiritual mothers who've led us on the way. Those faithful souls who shared wisdom laced with integrity and joy. The ones who brought comfort to our sorrows big and small. The ones who've modeled for us what loving Jesus and serving God looked like. The musical ones who taught us to sing songs about Jesus that remain with us to this day. And the teachers who showed us how to tuck Bible verses deep into our hearts.
Mamas and grandmamas. Aunties and Sunday School teachers. Pioneer Girl leaders and music instructors. Camp counselors and youth group leaders. All you college professors and mentors and women's Bible study leaders. You know who you are.
And you Titus 2 women and pastors. Our spiritual directors and counselors, friends and coaches along the way.
You are our Proverbs 31 women, filled with beautiful valor and integrity, godliness and strength. We join hands and say, with tears in our eyes and hearts overflowing, that with everything in us, we 'thank God upon every remembrance of you ...'
Linda, I'm so glad I followed you on FMF! I recently paid tribute to one of my mentors, and I love how you wrote of them bringing comfort to our sorrows, big and small. This, sometimes, means more than all the rest. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't you love how our mentors have come in so many roles, wearing so many hats along the way ... beautiful!
DeleteLinda
This is beautiful...as I read it, I thought of the many women who have had a profound impact on my life. I'm so thankful for each of them. Blessings and happy weekend, friend! :)
ReplyDeleteYep, Mel ... and the longer I sit with this, more keep coming to mind!
DeleteLinda
Thank you, Denise!
ReplyDeleteLinda
I am reminded of so many women who God used to touch my life - many without saying a word. I remember one retired woman who was in the baby nursery every Sunday during the Sunday School hour, so young mothers could go to class while their babies had the consistency of this one woman. She was there every Sunday for over 6 years. She followed her heart to the role God had for her, without saying a word.
ReplyDeleteWow! Now that's serving at its finest, Marilyn ...
DeleteLinda
Mm. The comfort of kind women is universal, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAnd, sadly, sometimes hard to find, yes?
DeleteThanks, Alissa ...
Linda
Thank you Linda, for this post, and for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteJENN
Sharing FMF with you, my friend!
DeleteLinda
What a beautiful tribute!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by this morning, Eileen!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Your beautiful words have me think of all the wonderful spiritual mothers in my life. I thank God for each one, what they have taught me and the way they have walked with me. I only pray that I can repay them by following in their footsteps and pour into the hearts of younger women.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love that, Amy! That's our call, our role, to pass on what we have received and gleaned to those we meet along the way ...
DeleteLinda
Such a sweet post Linda!
ReplyDeleteI pray you have a super blessed weekend!
Love!
Beth
And YOU'RE a sweetheart, Beth! Enjoy a beautiful NC weekend ...
DeleteLinda
This was such a wonderful post. As I read I reflected on those people in my life and it reminds me to reach out to those women and let them know how much they mean to me. Thank you for sharing this on FMF!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Jennifer, you raise such an important point ... our need to bless those who've gone before us with our gratitude ...
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Linda
Awesome! I love your words and your thought process. Thank you for this beautiful piece today.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you came by this evening, Debi!
DeleteTruly!
Linda
Linda, yes! And to the women and "(s)heroes" in the community/tribe who takes the time along the way to encourage and lift up little girls and boys and young women and men as they journey through life.
ReplyDelete{S}heros ... I like that, Dina!
Delete;-}
Linda
Those little hands reaching out to early spring primroses . . . I don't think you could sum up a mother's joy better.
ReplyDelete"I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my spiritual children are living their lives in the Truth" (III John 1:4, AMP).
Thanks, Linda,
~A
Their mama was really joyful when she caught two sets of eager little hands right before they plucked those spring blooms right out of the ground! We compromised when I said they could pat them gently, and that they did!
DeleteLinda
This was simply beautiful! What a beautiful tribute. So grateful to stop by...always enjoy finding my way here.
ReplyDeleteBlessings. Beth
And I always enjoy seeing you here, my friend!
DeleteLinda