Who Put Their Mom Stamp On You?

Nanny, my 92 year-old grandma is still putting her stamp (or 2 Cents) on my parenting! Update: Nanny passed away 02/05021 at nearly 96. We all miss her so much. We cherish all of the wisdom she gave us, but most of all…the laughs.

By Jana Kaye Kuhnert

It’s MAY! School’s out, YAY!! As a mom, that was always one of my favorite times. I loved having the goobers home for the summer. May is also a time of graduations, planning for summer celebrations and…. MOTHER’S DAY!

Let’s CELEBRATE Mamas by really thinking about who they are.

What makes a woman that raises children a “Mom”? What makes them a good mom? My fellas are all adults now, and I can safely say, I am still learning at this mama gig. My grandma told me years ago, it never ends as long as your alive. I get “it” now, and I am still in love with the job! I am super proud of all of my boys. They are each very different, but the measure of love they have for others and their sense of responsibility to take care of those in need, does my mama’s heart well.

It doesn’t get any easier as they get older to get them to give their mama a seriously handsome pose. Goobers.

Give respect to your father and mother, for without them you wouldn’t be here. And don’t neglect them when they grow old. Embrace the truth and hold it close. Don’t let go of wisdom, instruction and life-giving understanding. When a father observes his child living in godliness, he is ecstatic with joy-nothing makes him prouder! So may your father’s heart bust with joy and your mother’s soul be filled with gladness because of you. – Proverbs 23:22-25 (The Passion Translation) 

However, one thing I know for certain, I know plenty of good moms whose kids have struggles in childhood and adulthood. I know plenty of crappy moms whose kids have grown up to be amazing people. So, I’m not certain that the measurement of effective motherhood is judged by the end result of their adult children. After all, you can lead a cow to water, but you can’t make them drink.

My child, obey your father’s godly instruction and follow your mother’s life-giving teaching. Fill your heart with their advice and let your life be shaped by what they’ve taught you. Their wisdom will guide you wherever you go and keep you from bringing harm to yourself. Their instruction will whisper to you at every sunrise and direct you through a brand new day. – Proverbs 6:20-22 (The Passion Translation)

Once kids grow up, it’s on them to choose the good lessons and wisdom that came from the loving mother who raised them. And then again, it’s also up to them to borrow from the wisdom and life lessons of other mamas that were also in their “sphere of influence”. Grandmas, aunts, teachers, neighbors, friends of family, etc, most likely also played a role in the adult you’ve become today. And, if you’re a mama and take the whole “Mom Title” seriously, you have borrowed the best mothering efforts, styles, tips, and examples, from others on your journey through Motherhood.

I’m so thankful to be able to watch our granddaughter grow under the nurturing and love of my beautiful daughter in love. She’s the BEST mom and even though I’m at the GiGi stage of life now, I still learn so much from her.

I’m so blessed and thankful to have had the best teachers in life and in motherhood on earth. Of course, for me, it all started with my mom who was only 17 when she had me.

I sure do miss this angel in Heaven. If you have your mama here on earth, honor that. LOVE on her.

I am thankful she included so many amazing women in her circle that impacted the way I parent. My mom lovingly taught me many things, but her circle taught me just as much. My grandma’s, step-mom, and babysitters from my youth like Nina Gaines and the late Emma Lea Harrison, my childhood friends’ moms, and my current friend posse, also had a huge impact on the way I have led my tribe.

My Momtourage and a shared daughter.

Who’s in you’re circle? What mom’s positively impacted the adult or mother you are today? Take a minute, think about them. Thank them and say a blessing for them. I hope you are learning parenting and “adulting” from REAL face to face relationships, not just super cute graphics on social media. Jesus himself saw the value of sharing his own mother and the value of his mother’s sister, and other women in his inner circle:

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. – John 19:25-27 (New King James Version) 

Who put their “mom” stamp on your story?

Subscribe to my Blog at RiseByLifting.Com   I’d love to hear about who is in your Mom Circle!

 

Make someone’s Mother’s Day FABULOUS with a gesture of encouragement and thanks.

My Tribe. We really need some new family photos!

2021 UPDATE: Since I wrote this post our family has grown & continues to grow. I am so blessed to have a small measure of influence over this bunch.

Lord knows they teach me the most beautiful lessons daily. My beautiful MIL leads & loves us so well.

May your circle always be blessed with His grace and your tribe covered in His love,

Jana Kaye Kuhnert, Author and Speaker at Rise By Lifting and                                    Co-Founder of NubAbility Athletics Foundation