A Tribute to My Mother

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is place in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into its soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands
the sacred and holy trust given to her."
-- J.R. Miller, Homemaking

“Thank God, O women for the quietude of your home, and that you are queen in it. Men come at eventide to the home; but all day long you are there, beautifying it, sanctifying it, adorning it, blessing it. Better be there than wear a queen’s coronet. Better be there than carry the purse of a princess. It may be a very humble home. There may be no carpet on the floor. There may be no pictures on the wall. There may be no silks in the wardrobe; but, by your faith in God, and your cheerful demeanor, you may garniture that place with more splendor than the upholsterer’s hand ever kindled.” -- T. DeWitt Talmage "What the mother sings to the cradle goes all the way down to the coffin." -- Henry Ward Beecher "The best academy, a mother's knee." -- James Russell Lowell

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." -Proverbs 31:28

My mother is indeed one whom I can praise and call blessed without any hesitation!


My mom, born Mary St. John, was the youngest of five children, and raised by godly parents. She learned violin and went on to teach it to others, and also played in church.


But, in my eyes more dear than all her musical accomplishments, she accepted her God-given role of a keeper at home.

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. - Titus 2:3-5

She became the mother of eight (the youngest being me). I praise the Lord for such a godly mother, and that she did not give up on having me just because it could be somewhat dangerous at her age, and after a difficult birth just before me! She educated all of us at home, with my dad's supervision and input. What a job that is in and of itself! She had other jobs, as well....

As one of my friends wrote:
'Think of it, moms are chefs, housekeepers, nurses, guidance counselors, chaperones, chauffeurs, nannies, teachers, handywomen, emergency experts, homework assistants, seamstresses, driving instructors, relationship gurus, and sometimes mind readers.'

I could add "waitress," "organizer," and "gardener" to that--perhaps others. My mom has planted numerous gardens filled with delicious vegetables and citrus fruit trees when we were in Florida (along with blueberries). My mom has a tender heart and usually has an encouraging word to offer everyone. She doesn't shy away from hard work--sometimes it's hard to get her to stop when she should! Yet she always has time to talk about our needs and concerns, spiritually and otherwise. She is also humble and willing to learn. (She is even learning Hebrew and writing a beginner's Hebrew book!) She is abundantly generous. She is sweet and loving. She loves to see others grow in the Lord. She is wise. She loves to study the Bible. She fears the Lord.

I hope I can live up to her example!

We should take time to appreciate our mothers...not just on Mother's Day, but every day. And not just in word, but in deed, for words are empty if not put into practice. The Bible says to honor and obey our parents, and we should obviously love them, too, whether they are very good parents or not.

As for my mother, I am grateful I can truly say, 'Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.' (Proverbs 31:10.)

Grace (my oldest sister) gave this lovely frame as a Mother's Day gift.
Grace made sure it was all right with us first, then came back with it
framed and matted, by hand. We knew it was going to be a nice gold frame,
but we didn't expect anything quite this beautiful!
(By the way, Grace painted this picture several years ago for Mom & Dad.)

Mom, three daughters, and three grandchildren
enjoying a meal at Olive Garden the day after Mother's Day.

Mom with roses that her son Joel & his wife Charity sent her.
(She's also gotten a card and phone call from other family members, which she enjoyed.)