It was a stunning day. The sun rose high in the azure sky on a perfect-weather afternoon. Our big family gathered at a house on Fremont Lake that had been made available to us by a caring friend who knew it would be the perfect place for our summer family reunion. A soft summer breeze came in off the lake, making the atmosphere relaxing and pleasant.
I’m the oldest of six children who are all married. With a multitude of grandchildren who joined us, it was a large group. Many of us had arrived from different parts of the country, so it was a uniquely special occasion.
Mother and Dad had both turned 89-years-old, so we knew these gatherings were rare and precious. All of us pitched in with our favorite dishes and we had a scrumptious picnic meal, complete with fried chicken, potato salad, sliced tomatoes from my sister’s garden, fresh vegetables, and mouthwatering desserts.
After the meal, the grandchildren played games and thoroughly enjoyed the celebration of being together. The adults gathered around mom and dad and reminisced about days gone by and about how fast the grandkids were growing up.
We soon realized that our mother and father had a very specific agenda. We were told that they would like to meet with us separately in family groups, starting with their oldest child—which was me!
Our son, an only child, is incarcerated with a life sentence and mom and dad had walked through deep heartache with us. That day our grandchildren, Chelsea and Hannah, also participated in our family circle.
Mother spoke up, “Your dad and I are old, and we’ll be with Jesus soon. We know this will probably be our last family reunion. We just wanted to bless you and pray over you while we still have this opportunity.
She continued. “We have blessing cards that we’ve prepared and printed out for each one of you.”
As the oldest child, I was first. Mom read:
Dear Carol,
You are our firstborn child, and you are loved so much. You have experienced much sorrow. This is our blessing we pass on to you: “May God’s grace be sufficient for you; for His strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, Mother’s paraphrase). Always be willing to be used of God. That brings the greatest blessing.
With Love and Prayers,
Mother and Dad
Due to our son’s devastating actions, our two granddaughters had been separated from us for over six years, before coming back into our lives just months earlier. Chelsea, the oldest, was no doubt wondering how she would be received back into the family after such a long absence. This was her blessing:
Dear Chelsea,
You are our first great-grandchild, and we praise God for bringing you back to us. We have missed you so much. This is our blessing we pass on to you: “May the peace of God rule in your heart, and may you always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, Grandma’s paraphrase). May you always be willing to be used of God. That brings the greatest blessing.”
With Love and Prayers,
Grandma and Grandpa
There was a card for my husband, Gene, and one for Hannah, our youngest granddaughter, equally personal, with a specific verse for each, selected by Mama.
Then they asked us to come in close and we encircled our arms around each other as they prayed over us. My father was struggling with congestive heart failure, and it was hard for him to speak with any volume. So Mama prayed for each of us, including our son, Jason, behind the razor wire of a maximum security prison. She prayed lifegiving words of affirmation, speaking of their deep love for each of us, and she asked God to protect us and use us for His glory with the gifts He had given to us.
As she blessed us with her words and prayers, we felt commissioned to live out our purpose in life and to use the training we had received in a Christian home to encourage others and to fulfill our calling.
One-by-one the remaining siblings and their families took their turns, heard their blessing cards, and received their prayers.
There were no dry eyes. We were on holy ground.
Our father left his earth-shackles for heaven six weeks later. Mama remained with us for another six years. At her memorial service, instead of having a lengthy sermon, her children and her grandchildren took turns sharing a memory of their mother or their grandmother—and each of them read their Blessing Card.
Every family member was reminded that we can choose to pass the blessing on to the next generation.
What have I learned from Mama?
- Speak blessings over your children and your grandchildren.
- Practice hospitality by inviting people to share meals and fellowship around your table.
- Pray for your children out loud, so they are reminded of God’s presence and protection.
- Laugh, listen, and play games with people you love.
- Use your gifts to further His Kingdom agenda and enjoy the smile of God’s approval.
“…we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders he has done…so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.” Psalm 78:4-6 NIV
Question: What is one of the most important things you learned from your mom? I look forward to reading your comments.
To order Life Lessons for Moms, click on this link. (If you are ordering multiple copies for your church for Mother’s Day Sunday, or your Bible study or family, call Gene for the best discount: 586-481-7661).
$50 discount available: If you’re interested in attending the in-person or virtual Speak Up Conference on July 11-13, 2024, go to SpeakUpConference.com and enter this code when you check out: PROMO$50
About Carol Kent
Carol Kent is a bestselling author and an international speaker for conferences, outreach events, and retreats. She’s the executive director of the Speak Up Conference, an event committed to helping people develop their speaking and writing skills. She and her husband, Gene, have founded the nonprofit organization, Speak Up for Hope, which benefits inmates and their families. Carol holds a master’s degree in communication arts and a bachelor’s degree in speech education. Carol has trained Christian speakers for over twenty-five years, and she has been a featured speaker at Women of Faith, Extraordinary Women, and Women of Joy arena events. She is the author of over twenty-five books, including the bestselling When I Lay My Isaac Down, Becoming a Woman of Influence, and He Holds My Hand. Check out her newest book for Mother’s Day, Life Lessons for Moms. Connect with Carol at www.carolkent.org.
We just lost our mama in November so mother’s Day will be very hard this year. I also lost my only child. Our mom was precious. My oldest sister and I were able to bring her to Christ And that is a blessing her last words to me was I am going to be with Jesus! She had a big smile on her face when she said it and those were her last words and she passed away hours later. Our mother had a hard life but all she wanted in her last year’s was for her children to know Jesus! The gospel was preached at her funeral because that is what she wanted! My oldest sister and I are praying that her children and more family members come forward for Jesus! give me as her so much. I live 700 miles from her and I would call her two and three times a day. I miss those call so much! I am honored that God gave us our mom. her name was Grace!
Cindy, thank you for your note. I’m so sorry about the loss of your mama last November. I’m sure that makes it hard to face Mother’s Day this year. My mom is in heaven now, too, but I know we are both praising God for how well they loved us. I’m joining you now if prayer that many more of your family members will come to faith in Christ.
Oh Carol, reading this my eyes sting as my tears form. Such a beautiful legacy and I am jumping for joy at the sight of this picture. Yes, you have had much sorrow, yet you have allowed God to use you in mights ways. It’s a blessing to watch from afar and a testimony for many. I can honestly say my mama lessons have been more what “not to do,” yet I am being used as Gods vessel. She did teach me to have a good work ethic. Bless you and thank you for sharing this personal moment
Thank you, Tracy. I especially appreciate your honesty about the lessons from your mom being more about what “not to do,”–but God has helped you focus on the fact that she taught you how to have a good work ethic. Your note was a blessing to me today. Thanks so much for your encouragement.
my mama was the most fiercely independent person I have ever known and she unknowingly passed that on to her 2 sons and myself. She was married and divorced twice, raised 3 kids on her own, 2 boys and a girl, I learned many things, the 2 that stick out the most was how to be independent whether you want to be or not due to circumstances and I learned that she was the most patient person in the whole wide world, cuz she had to raised me, a tomboy. She was a nurse, a mother, grandmother and taught us how to believe in Jesus. I miss her so much. I look forward to seeing her in Heaven one day.
Kathy, thank you for sharing your life lessons from your mom–how to be independent and patient. It sounds like she was a remarkable survivor of some tough times. I loved reading that she led you to Jesus. I, too, look forward to seeing my mom in heaven.
Oh Carol, I remember this holy time as though it were yesterday. Tears running down my cheeks as the realization of your parents blessings are living long and strong in your lives. Thank you for painting such beautiful word pictures for us to emulate in our own families.
Donna, you are a remarkable encourager. Thank you for this beautiful note and for the lovely birthday card from you and Doug. Gene and I appreciate both of you so much! Keep living for things that will outlast your lives.
What a beautiful idea! No long, cleverly phrased messages. Just genuine loved stated in pure simplicity.
Thank you for sharing & I hope to do this at our next family gathering especially since our family is scattered all over the country!
Sharon–you are so right! When these messages were written, they were simple–but simply profound, with a specific verse chosen for each of my siblings and for me, and for each of the grandchildren. I’m so thrilled that you may plan to do this at one of your next family reunions.
Thank you. A beautiful legacy your parents left you. It gives me an idea for my own children and grands. Bless you!
Thanks, Shirley. My parents were in ministry and had very of this world’s earthly things to pass on–but what they gave us was invaluable–a legacy of faith! Enjoy using this idea with your own children and grands.
Enjoyed this so much. My Mom was a wonderful humble loving lady, if I can be like her for the Lord. I took care of her for 11 years, she almost made 102. I hope I am that to My children and grandchildren. I also have great grandchildren. My sadness is they are not being taught about God. Going to order the book! Have been following Carol for some years now. God bless. Philippians 4:6-8
Dear Elizabeth, I feel the pain in your note about your grand children and your great grandchildren not being taught about God. I’m praying that God will give you effective ideas about how to share His truth with them. By the way, one of my mother’s favorite scripture passages was the one you wrote in the comments–Philippians 4:6-8. Those verses are powerful!
Dearest Carol,
This post was incredibly touching to me. It created a sense of legacy, not only for you and your family, but for mine as well. How glorious to pass this mantle to others to call blessings out upon their family members from generation to generation. The prophet Moses was all about remembering the goodness of God. Thank you for reminding me to remember. Truly beautiful. Thank you.
Love,
Kimalea Arrighi
Kimalea, thank you for your uplifting note. I think of you and your precious twins–and I know you are building a legacy of love, faith, and joy into their lives. How blessed they are to have you as their mama!
For 50 years my mom went to church without my father. She picked out his clothes & ironed them & laid them on the bed. Most Sundays, not all the time, she would say, your clothes are laid out on the bed, we would love for you to join us. Sometimes she wouldn’t say a word but just put them there, and he saw them. My mom never missed a Sunday, she’s one of the most faithful women I know. She reads Gods word every single night before bed. One day, my dad showed up at church & mom said I’m glad to see you here. (Mom goes for Sunday School & dad joins for worship & preaching.) Dad has attended faithfully for the last 7 years.
Thank you, Stacey. What a testimomy of patience and ongoing trust in God was demonstrated by your mom! Thank you for sharing this story.