“May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice.”
- Proverbs 23:25
Dear brothers and sisters,
Grace and peace to everyone! I hope that you had a good week. Mine was quite hectic as I had to spend the whole week for my modular class at school and a whole day seminar yesterday about small groups. I just wanted to share with you one highlight for my week. Her voice resonated with clarity and endearments as I called her two days ago. “Where are you? Are you abroad or somewhere in the country?” I said: “No, I was just checking in to find out how you were doing especially with this typhoon.” The rain was loud and strong, I could hear it from the other line. Then she said: “Hmm, by God’s grace we are ok.” That was the start of our short chat over the phone. After a few minutes, we hung up. I felt energized!
Mom would be 78 years old come September, no longer as physically strong as she was a few years ago, and her hair is now like snow. I wish I could see her often, because whenever I do, I always see a face that exudes fortitude, her tremendous faith, and her youthful optimism. For more than 55 years now, she has been a big blessing to me, not only as the one who brought me forth into this world, but also one who gave me the nurture and example of how to live. And not just for me, but also for all her 10 children.
God knows that, and even though Mom has been through a lot because of the challenges of raising a big family, God has blessed her to see her children and grandchildren grow up into adulthood. I am now a family man myself, and her example has given me a real inspiration to pass on that legacy to my family.
Our moms are real blessings—they are far from perfect, but through God’s design, they have been God’s human instruments to express His tenderness, sacrifice, understanding, love and desire to be with us. For many of us, we still have moms or parents who are still alive. Maybe because of our busy-ness, we may literally or figuratively have caused her to say those words, “Where are you dear son, or where are you dear daughter?” 
More than just wanting to know where we are, these words also simply imply that they would like to spend more time with us. Let us take this weekend, and every possible opportunity to show them our gratefulness and love.
For my mom, I will always be her eldest boy. That does not change with time and I will always treasure that. Thank God, for our moms!
God bless your week! - Ka Eugene
