May 5, 2015
What a blessed baby, boy, teen, young man, and now middle-aged man I am to have been and to be graced with mothers! First of all, there is my mom, the lady who went through all the trouble of bringing me into this world. Little did she know what she was getting herself into when she had to parent her cute little bundle? I can say this cute thing about myself because all mothers universally think their baby is cute and this is the way it should be. A good part of who I am today is because I have a mom who cared enough to push my lazy bones to exercise my God-given gifts. When I brought a C home on my report card, I still remember the discussion we had on whether my glass was only going to be half-full or half-empty. Neither one sounded very good. Thanks, Mom.
My mom’s mom, Grandma Scherwinski, was a little woman with a big heart. Her smile and laugh could light up a whole room. She could cook up a storm. Watching my grandma helped me understand more about my own mother. Grandma had me repair some basement windows on her house and she wanted to make sure I made no compromise in material or craftsmanship. I can still hear her words echo in my ears, “a job worth doing is a job worth doing right.” Now, Mom, where have you heard that before???
My first conscience memory of Grandma Schofield was of her standing on the front porch of her farmhouse in an apron with a big wad of bread dough in her hands and a streak of flour on her cheek as we came up the drive. She took my brother and I fishing off a dock with homemade fishing poles from saplings using corks from the hardware store for bobbers. We caught ’em and she cleaned and cooked them and we ate them. The most important thing in Grandma’s life besides her family was Jesus Christ. This has made a lasting impression on me.
Last, but not least, there is Mama Smith. Now, you do not call Mama, “Mom”. Nor do you call my mother “Mama”. If you want to die, call my mom “Mommy”. When you are surrounded by such a wealth of mothering, it is important to get the nomenclature right. Mama Smith is special because of the wonderful daughter – the mother of my children – she raised with her husband, Al. The first time she met me she pulled Loretta aside and told her daughter… “If you don’t marry him, I will.” What an ally in the pursuit of happiness!
The Lord has called my two grandmas to leave this earthly veil. I am truly thankful this Mother’s Day to have my mom and my mama still here to love and mother me. What a blessing from God. Not every man can claim the blessings I have, but every man with air in his lungs can be thankful for at least one thing. Our mothers allowed for us to live and have the gift of life. May we truly all be thankful and wish our mothers a Happy Mother’s Day!
Because of a Gracious God and Loving Mother,
Pastor John Schofield
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
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