Reflecting Christ

Today's blogger is Joshua Benedict.  His mom is Pam.

Ah, it's that time of year again. The sun shining, the flowers blooming, the birds singing, school almost out and Mother's day? What? 

That's often how Mother's day sneaks up on me at our house. Life just keeps spinning and then all of the sudden its upon you! Mother's day! What that looks like for us is a day Mommy reads the newspaper, doesn't cook, takes a bubble bath and just enjoys life. It's a well deserved day off for someone on full time duty 24/7. A never ending cycle for eighteen years or more if you have kids. Her's will last twenty seven years by the time Katie is out of the house. And she will get a total of twenty seven days off that are nationally recognized. Only twenty seven?? Just another reason to be thankful for what your mother has down in her lifetime.

What makes my mother special? She doesn't try to hide that she's human, and I mean this with all sincerity. Lots of times, parents try to cast the perfect shadow and the kids grow up thinking adults might be perfect...an image they shed once puberty hits. Other parents try to cover up their mistakes by blaming the kids or removing themselves from the situation. My mother confronts her faults and admits she's wrong. Then she gives us a hug and kiss, and says she's trying to reflect Christ in every way possible. Now that, my friends, is a reason to "Honor your father and mother" – Ephesians 6:2. Someone who is as loving and nurturing as is possible for a human, who messes up occasionally and is not afraid to admit it, a quality that I, being a guy, struggle with sometimes, okay more often than not. But having that great smile and warm house to come home to after a long practice for basketball or school choir is well worth it. We're all human and we all make mistakes, so how about this year we make one LESS mistake, and remember our mothers. You have an earthly father and a heavenly father, but there is only one mother! 

Dear, Mom 
Thanks for bearing me into this world! Your kindness, friendship, parenting, love and food have made my life better every single day! I only have about 2 years left in our household, but the last 16 I can't think of a better mom. Your testimony, along with Dad's, of staying pure until marriage is one I plan on staying on track with until I am married. I know you can't wait to see that happy day, on which you will most likely cry, but you will have 3 boys by that time to wipe your tears and engulf you with humongous hugs, Steve, Josh and Justin. The girls love you too as well! Haha can't forget them! They have a wonderful role model for young girls to follow, and we all can't appreciate you enough. So with that in mind, relax! We've got the cooking, sit back and take that bubble bath you've been waiting to soak in for a year. The Benedict family loves and cares for their Mother. Happy Mother's day Mom! 

-Josh