My mother’s ability to always keep her head above the fray amazes me. She survived raising three boys and one girl (who I insist was spoiled), a marriage of twenty-plus years to a man who had his issues, and major moves to six states with a family of six. She worked full time, kept a busy house relatively sane, and as a pastor’s wife, she had to put up with a thousand expectations of many parishioners. Frankly, I don’t know how she did it all without being driven to drink.

So what makes a great mom great?

Here are seven things I’ve noticed as a son, husband, and father (married to another incredible mom).

•  A great mom is a parent who loves unconditionally. Her affection is not based on the performance of her children. Come hell or high water, good days or bad, she simply loves.

•  A great mom says what she means and means what she says. You may not always like what she says, but you are rarely confused about her desires or intentions.

•  A great mom disciplines, corrects, and molds her children with a view to their future. Her unconditional love does not mean unregulated tolerance for unruly behavior. She is committed to growth.

•  A great mom provides the glue that keeps the family connected and together. She is the one who typically takes the initiative to gather the clan for family time and family meals.

•  A great mom is a comforter. She seems to know what to say and when to say it to encourage and build up her kids. (And sometimes she doesn’t say anything, but she just holds you close.)

•  A great mom instills a sense of destiny and God-given purpose in the hearts and minds of her children. From an early age, they believe in a big God who has big plans for their lives.

•  A great mom loves Jesus with all of her heart, and she models faith and godliness to her children. They fall in love with Jesus because she is deeply in love with him.

Certainly, my list is far from complete, but I know each of these things marks the life of a great woman and mom.

So on this Mother’s Day 2022, I pray for a special blessing on the moms. You matter. You are a gift to your children. You are amazing. My momma brought me into this world; she profoundly shaped the man I have become, and I thank God for her every day.

{Note: this is a re-post from a previous Mother's Day tribute to my mother. She's worth it!}