Did You Think to Pray?

My mother, Marcia Peterson, was not tall. She was just 4 feet and 11 inches, but to us she was a tower of love and peace.  She had large brown eyes, beautiful soft skin and a wonderful smile.  Of course dad loved her; how could you not love her?  She was so beautiful and so sweet to us.

When we were very young, she would need to discipline us.  When I was a boy in the 1960’s spanking was common.  Mother had a balsa wood paddle adapted from a bounce-back paddle ball game with the ball removed.  This soon broke on my brother or me.  At an early age I noticed a profound change in my mother’s approach to discipline.   I did not know why she changed, but she did.

When she was frustrated with us or when we would not help or obey, before saying anything or being upset, she would walk away. Our house was small and I could see her go down the hall to her room.  Being curious and gathering all my courage to see what was happening, I went down the hall and looked in her open door.

She was kneeling in silent prayer by her bed.  Tears were coming down her usually happy cheeks.  I did not know what she was praying, but felt pain that I had caused her sadness.  I felt sure she must be asking God to help her with me.  I knew what I needed to do; I needed to pray and ask God to forgive me.  I knew I needed to ask my mother to forgive me as well.

I noticed that when mother came back from walking away and praying, she was calm, even more loving, and patient.  With prayer, it seems, we could not ruffle her.  She knew God loved her and loved her children.  She had faith that He would help her and He did.

As I grew and even now I can recall the picture of my mother in prayer.  Later I learned that in addition to asking for God’s help and guidance in her God-given role as mother, she would also plead in humility for patience and ask forgiveness of God for even being frustrated; though I am sure we gave her good cause. 

Instead of elevating conflict, she avoided it and sought heaven’s help.  I am so thankful for a wonderful mother.  Her example of love and faith blessed me then and strengthens me now.  As I think back I consider the power of a soft answer and a loving example.  I am grateful for a sweet mother whose actions set an example for me.

Brent