Wind

Happy Mother's Day everyone! It's rather windy here in central Nebraska (which is really quite normal) and it has gotten me thinking about the ways in which my mother was like the wind.

Many times wind brings change. If it weren't for my mom's determination and drive, the change that has come in my life to be a better mother would have never been as strong. Change happens as God grows us up into likeness of His Son. My mom helps me to look to the Lord and do my part to bring change to those around me and to myself even when the process is less than ideal.

Wind produces movement. As I was growing up, I always saw my mom 'moving'. Not just physically altering position, but moving toward a goal. She has shown me that perseverance and moving forward are necessary if you want to succeed. Movement to be stronger, more gracious, less critical; movement to love the unlovable, give to those less fortunate and look beyond the surface to see the person for who they are. Mom moved physically as well. She has always given up time, money, herself, etc...in order to help whoever she can. She has an unmatched work ethic and inspires me to strive to be a servant of others.

Wind builds strength. Trees grown in controlled environments without wind, cannot build root systems to resist the elements. Looking back, I am reminded of many struggles we faced and through all of them I see my mom pressing against us in support of a deeper root system. We had all the stress and torment of normal adolescent and teenage girls and when the weather threatened our standing firm, she was always there whispering like the wind to stay grounded and remember where our strength was produced.

Wind encourages growth and pushes away remnants of the old/unhealthy. As the wind blows across the fields in Nebraska, it carries the moisture across the plains in the winter, dries the soil in spring for crops to be planted and dries the crops for harvest in the fall. My mom has always striven to remove those situations and circumstances in her control that could influence my sister and I negatively. She has also given us gusts of encouragement to grow us stronger in our walk with the Lord as well as our walk through life.

Wind is refreshing. As summer inches closer, the thought of hundred degree weather and sunburns are high on my 'ugh' list. However, when those days come, when the struggles feel too hot to touch and too draining to face, a gentle breeze is soothing and calming for the soul. When the pain and heartaches of the past sting like the cherry red evidence of too much sun, the wind in the air cools my body and reminds me of the promise of healing and in some cases beauty on the other side of the burn. (Not me, I am pasty white or cherry red, but it works for my beautiful sister!)

Most people would probably take offense to being called windy, but as I listen to the wind gust outside and see the trees waving, I think of my mom and the many ways she has influenced my life and deepened my faith in God, as well as pushing me to keep moving when I felt like giving up. Thanks for always being there for me Mom, kind of the like the winds in Nebraska. Wait just a few moments and it's a guarantee the wind will be there!

I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day!