Merry Christmas Mom

It must have been December of 2005. Even thinking that was about 15 years ago completely blows my mind!

I can remember it like it was yesterday. I drove up to the hospital in my parent's Toyota Rav4. It was about 11:45 pm at night.

Most people in my small hometown in Pennsylvania were in bed at this time. I waited in the empty and lifeless parking lot for about ten minutes. I looked up, and here came this short figure limping along the sidewalk in the dark. She was definitely not in a hurry. She was definitely not concerned with impressing anyone as she walked along. She was going at her own pace, which she’d always been okay with. She knew she was “nothing special,” but that didn’t keep her from enjoying her life, her friendships, and her family. 

She hobbled up to my car, opened the door, and slowly slid in. She was in pain. Her ankle is most likely swollen from being on her feet all day. She was no spring chicken either; she was in her sixties, in fact. Leading up to that point, she hadn’t lived a life of ease by any means. She had birthed seven babies, homeschooled them all, cleaned our little country house, made the meals, supported our father in ministry, and was always passionately loving and serving people. Then, once she reached the age of sixty, she decided to go back to school to pursue being a Registered Nurse. Looking back, this was complete madness.

As she got into the car, her body was in pain as she gritted her teeth and winced. We started driving silently into the cold night. As I sat in the driver's seat, a thousand questions entered my mind, but the one that made its way out of my mouth was, “Why?” I said, “Mom…you are obviously in pain! You are 60 years old; your body is beaten down. WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?”

There was a moment or two of silence. You could cut the tension in the vehicle with a butter knife. Then…she spoke. It was not in a reactive or annoyed tone. It was soft and from the heart…in fact, she is the one who taught me that’s how people should talk. She started to cry…and in the most soft and gentle voice, she said, “I’m doing it because I want to help my children.”

Unbelievable. She birthed seven kids! Changed hundreds of diapers! Made meal after meal. Packed lunches. She had given her entire life to serve her family. To what end? There is no end. It was never for the credit, not for the praise. She wore herself down so that she could keep giving, loving, and sacrificing for the people that she loved the most. The passionate love of a mother for her children must truly be one of the great mysteries of the world, and they go to such lengths of sacrifice to love that special child given to them by God. 

It’s Christmas. Maybe we to quickly forget that time of year is not about what we get. It’s not about that new car we hope to find in our driveway. It’s not about the new computer that will make our lives easier. Again. No. It’s about what God gave to us with His precious Son, Jesus Christ. A little baby boy, lying in a manger. His special mom, Mary, a mere teenager holding him close to her heart to protect Him, love Him, and take care of Him. God knew that this baby boy, Jesus, was going to grow up to do some world-changing things. So, I believe it was important to God the Father to make sure that God the Son had a special mom.

If this Christmas season, you want to understand what true giving love is…watch your mom. As she buys the presents, makes the meals, asks the questions, invests in the cares of your heart. Watch the way she does it with such patience and elegance, how she delights in every act of kindness for the good of others, and how she cares for you. Gives you extra blankets during your holiday visit. How she knows what gift will mean the most to you. What hug will soften your heart.

Mark my words. There will be a day on this earth when your mom will be gone when you would give anything to feel her touch. To look across the living room and see her smile on Christmas morning. To eat with your family and taste the food she diligently prepared for everyone. There will be a day when I will close my eyes and imagine that little lady limping across that parking lot to my car at 11:30 pm after an eight-hour workday. Her body in pain but her heart completely full. Why? Because she loved her family, and that was always enough for her. 

What’s Christmas about? It’s about giving. It’s about what God gave us in His Son. Do you want to learn how to give? Look up and watch your mom. Something tells me that might be the best place to start. Tell her what you mean to her. Speak from the heart. Give her praise and affirmation. Buy her a special gift. Do the dishes for her. Enjoy her company, and thank God that He gave you a mom like yours.

 Merry Christmas, Mom. Thanks for being the best example of sacrifice and love I’ve ever seen.