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I remember growing up and seeing my mom cook, clean, do laundry, go to school, go to work, take us shopping, pick us up from school, sing songs with us and the list goes on.  Just the other day, I was thinking about all the sacrifices she made being a mother and a wife.  After college and graduate school, she had big dreams for working as a medical technologist and probably climbing the “medical laboratory” ladder.  After getting married and having children, the sacrifices began, as they do for many women.  She worked a job she enjoyed but had to sacrifice some time with her children—working year round and an occasional trip out of town.  After she worked in her field for a few years, she decided to earn her Ph.D. which required more sacrifices.  Eventually, she received her Ph.D. and ironically, couldn’t find work in her field in the town where she and my dad were living.  She took the jobs that were available although they may not have been her “dream” job.  She continued to be there for my dad, pushing him to excel in his career while doing all that’s required of a mother.  She rarely complained and gladly accepted her role as wife and mother.

I think about all the women who have sacrificed much to be a godly wife and mother and to do what’s necessary to bring all the pieces of a family together.  I’m grateful for the sacrifices my mom made like cooking dinner for a family of five after working an 8 or 10 hour day.  I’m thankful for the many times she exercised grace and gave us a second chance rather than what we deserved.  I’m grateful for the times she pushed us to do our best because she knew we could do better.  I’m thankful for the love she showed us and my dad and modeled how to be a godly wife and mother.

We should all honor our moms and grand moms and others who sacrificed so we could achieve our dreams.  At the root of true love is always sacrifice.  Take a moment and thank those people today.  It’s always better to give flowers while people are living so don’t miss your opportunity.

Thank you mama for the many sacrifices you made.

~Coletta Jones Patterson