The five-year-old

had practiced and practiced for his big moment in the preschool play.

His moment came, and he forgot his lines. His mother, sitting on the front

row, began to gesture and prompt him. She mouthed the words, but he didn't

catch on. Finally, she whispered the cue, "I am the light of the

world." The child beamed and with great feeling said in a loud, clear

voice, "My mother is the light of the world."

I thank God

for mothers who are bright, shining lights in our lives. I realize that

Mother's Day is next Sunday, but my column fell on this Sunday. So I'm

saying, "Hats off to mothers. We love you and appreciate all that

you do!"

I know the

two greatest mothers in the world. I have the greatest mother in the world.

She dearly loves us boys, and she dearly loved our father. We had a happy

home in which there was much love, encouragement, and nourishment. We

were always challenged to do our very best, but never pressured to be

someone that we weren't. We were raised in the church (Jefferson Avenue

Baptist in East Point in my early days in the 1960s) and spiritual formation

and exposure to the Bible were priorities.

My mom is still

a great cook. She set a good example and taught us right from wrong. She

believed in honesty and hard work. She set a high standard for behavior.

When we began driving and left the house to meet friends or hang out,

she'd always say, "Remember whose little boy you are." Being

her son meant something, and there were certain expectations. She treated

each son fairly and never showed favoritism.

Now I'm married

to the greatest mother in the world. My four children think she's overprotective,

but she really cares and wants the best for them. She is a nurturer, an

encourager, a helper, a seamstress, a baker, a chauffeur, a strong supporter.

She has always been there for our children, whether it's cheerleading,

cross country, basketball, baseball, chorus, band concerts, honors day,

church activities, and piano recitals. She has always shown interest in

each child's activities and interests.

She also does

a wonderful job in the kitchen, especially with her famous "made

from scratch" breads and potato rolls. She has always been a "can

do" Mom, (" you can do it "), and she has set high

expectations. She has gone to great lengths to build a happy home and

raise four talented, sharp children. She is truly gifted, and if I do

say so myself, has great taste in men. She's a good wife and mother who

also sets a great example.

Sometimes our

moms are not appreciated. A mother, Emily, was furious after renewing

her driver's license. Asked by the clerk to state her occupation, the

mother had hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What

I mean is, do you have a job," asked the clerk, "or are you

just a . . ."

"Of course

I have a job," snapped Emily. With quick thinking, she said, "I'm

a research associate in the field of child development and human relations."

The clerk actually

began writing that title down, and as she did, she asked, "just what

do you do in your field?"

Without any

trace of fluster in her voice, Emily replied, "I have a continuing

program of research (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the

field. I'm working for my masters (the whole family) and already have

four credits (all daughters, she thought). Of course, the job is one of

the most demanding and I often have to work 14 hour days. But the job

is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards

are in satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an

increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form,

stood up, and personally ushered Emily to the door.

As she drove

into her driveway, uplifted by her new glamorous career, she was greeted

new experimental model, age six months, testing out a new vocal pattern.

She felt triumphant! She had beaten bureaucracy! And she had gone on record

as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind that "just

a mother!" She created a new title for the most important job in

the world.

(Dr. David

L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville. The

congregation meets at 352 McDonough Road and invites you to join them

each Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m.).

Back

to News Home Page |