This week, I had an unexpected coffee date with my Mom. I love my time with her. She is truly a joy to be with, and she appreciates simple moments, like sitting outside together on a beautiful day.

Recently, I was at a Bible study, and the leader asked us to write down all the people who are part of our faith story, no matter how big or small.

The first person on my list was my Mom.

My Mom may not have talked a lot about her faith, but she set the example. She would get up each morning to say her prayers and write in her journal. When we would walk together in the morning, she would begin in silence, praying, and when she started talking with me, I knew her prayer time was over. She read the Bible to us as kids, was my Sunday school teacher, and we went to church every week.

She wasn’t pushy about her faith. She simply had a deep personal faith, wholeheartedly believed in it, lived out love as an expression of it, and always prayed for us and for others.

Faith has always been the foundation of my Mom’s days and the core of her values. She has always been honest about the parts of her faith she struggles with, yet she has never let that deter her from all that she does believe.

I am so thankful for my Mom, for the love she gives, and for the example of a woman of faith she has been for me.

I now find myself practicing many of the same habits as my Mom.

I couldn’t ask for a better Mom, aka Nane, or a better example of what living out God’s love in practice looks like.

I share this with you to invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we celebrate the Moms in our lives, whether biological or those who filled that role for us. May we give thanks for the positive examples they set, whether as women of faith or in countless other ways.

May we also pause to think about the people who have impacted our faith journey. Whoever it is, and whatever they did, let’s make the time to let them know.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms living out love every day! May God bless the work of your heart and hands everyday💕🙏💕

With love and appreciation, Shawn