My mom passed away today.
I’m sad.
In addition to rides on her back, Mom gave me many things, a sense of humor, a value for asking questions, but most significantly, she gave me a love for the Bible. I have vivid memories of three ways she passed on her deep appreciation for Scripture.
When my brothers and I were young, before going to bed she would read to us from John Maxwell’s classic 10 volume retelling of the Bible, The Bible Story (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bible_Story).
When my brothers and I fought (those rare occasions), she made us copy word-for-word the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 13, Paul’s chapter on love. OK, so perhaps this practice didn’t contribute to my love for Scripture, but it explains why I prefer the gospels to the epistles.
When we were older, Mom would have us we’d read the Bible after dinner and discuss it as a family. When I was young people would say I looked like my mom. I hope people can now see her love for Scripture in me.
Mom had Alzheimer’s. (This picture of Dad and Mom was taken at InterVarsity’s Campus-by-the-Sea on Catalina Island.) Dad has been caring for her for the past 10 years or so, visiting her twice daily since she moved into a care facility five years ago. Dad loved mom. In a few weeks, they would have celebrated 53 years together.
Goodbye mom. Enjoy being with Jesus. I miss you.