Hanson's Happenings!: Happy Birthday, Mom

I posted this on my mom's birthday last year. I thought I would repost it, as it is still true, and I am too tired to be that eloquent this year.

I would add that this last year has been one of great suffering on my mom's part. I won't go into it all, because that would take too long and I am typing with one hand while nursing a baby! But through it all, I've seen her turn to Jesus and continue to reach out to those around her. No matter how much she is hurting she always will reach out to help however she can.

All that being said, if you know my mom, please reach out and wish her a happy birthday!!
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Today is my mom's birthday.

I could go on and on about how much I love my mom and how wonderful she is (becuase she is), but I thought I would share two things that remind me of my mom very time I hear them.

The first is Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

I think when you start out being a mom (as I am now) you don't really know how things will turn out. I think my mom tried to follow the Bible and the parenting principles as best she could not knowing then what would happen. Whatever she did worked, and her kids "arise and call her blessed". All four of us dearly love and respect my mom. All those long hours she put in raising us have not gone unappreciated (although I am sure none of us know the full extent of the sacrifices she has made for us) I hope that I can follow her example of a wife and mom devoted to her family. I hope that Grace will know that I love her as much as I know that my mom loves me.

My mom has prayed for me faithfully every day of my life. She has prayed for my future children. She prayed for for my future husband every day as I was growing up, and now continues to pray for Gunnar. I know my life, and that of my siblings (and our spouses and now our children) have been so much better because we have had someone loving us and praying for us faithfully our whole lives.

The other thing that reminds me of my mom is a song:

It says:

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

When I see these words I can hear my mom singing them. There is absolutely no question in my mind whatsoever that my mom believes this with her whole heart. So many of the sacrifices my mom has made (and there have been many) she has done because it will be worth it when she sees Jesus. My mom lives her life with an eternal perspective. I know I am not alone in saying that my mom's passion and love for Jesus has been a huge inspiration, blessing and encouragement.