She Shares Truth - A Thank You Letter

*I've been participating in a bible study through the online community She Reads Truth and we've just completed the book of Titus. Our last "assignment" was to reflect on the growth of the gospel, in our lives, through spiritual mothering.*

Lord
The blessing is not lost on me, that I don't have to look far to see the woman you've ordained to be my spiritual mother. What a gracious God.....that you would create her, write her life's plan, and weave me into her story.

Growing up she felt far less a spiritual mother, definitely not a friend, and more a consistent wall I ran my head into. In my eyes she seemed rather impossible, very black & white, predictable & {worst of all} she loved a god that, I was convinced, I would never be good enough for. All of this was only made worse by the fact that we spent copious amounts of time at church......a place where my ears only heard "follow the rules" and my eyes read words my heart didn't understand.

Through all my rebellion you still pursued and, in September of 2004, began, ever so slightly, changing my path. That was the month my father passed away - her high school sweetheart and best friend, my sounding board and daddy.....our mediator. She grieved so well. I expected her faith to waver, would have understood, but she leaned hard into you Lord and suffered, knowing, you were in control. My pain drew me close to her and even closer to you.

I regret our full reconciliation didn't happen the day he passed away. Unfortunately, I still struggled my way through a few more years of blatant disobedience, but those years weren't in vain. Through your grace, my heart began to soften and You released me from the bondage of sin. You rescued me and, one day, I found myself walking the same path as her.....seeing life through her eyes....because you've given us both the same set of glasses. You see, I finally realized that her black & white, set ways, were called obedience and all that time she spent tucked away with her bible was called intimacy. We ebb & flow to the same beautiful music now because we both serve you, Jesus, and you humbly pour out your grace & mercy on our lives.  You alone saved me and in the process allowed me to finally value one of your greatest gifts in my life......my mom. Her comfort, love and godly wisdom is invaluable! Thank you for allowing her to leave a godly legacy.....for allowing her to be such a lovely part of my own story.