Mother’s Day is a day that brings forward joy and celebration as we lift up one of the most important people in our lives. I am very thankful for the relationship that I have with my mom. I will be honest, I was not the best kid growing up, I was difficult to be around especially when I was a teenager. Even through my worst of days when I was the biggest jerk, especially to my mom, she has always been there for me. She is easily the person I call on the phone the most. We have a special relationship and I will always cherish that.
I am unbelievably grateful for the mother to my kids Mikel is. She is the engine that keeps our family moving, clean, fed, watered, on schedule, and sane. She makes sure hair is done, dresses are tied, princesses are princesses, bow ties are straight, chucks are the right color, that girls can be girls, boys can be boys, and her kids can be kids. She often does this by herself, as I find myself on the road several times a year. I know it is incredibly hard to take care of our children as well as taking care of the biggest child of all, me. These are just some of the many reasons why I love her and am proud she is my wife and partner in this thing we call life. Mikel is truly a blessing.
Certainly, I cannot go on and talk about Mother’s Day and the impact that one has had on me and my family and not speak of my mother in law. She has fought an amazing fight and won over breast cancer this last year. On top of being a loving and thoughtful woman, raising my beautiful wife, and being a lovely Weazer (her name from my kids) to my kids, she is a true inspiration to everyone of what it is to be a person of faith and kicking cancer’s butt.
All of that being said, I know Mother’s Day is a hard day for many people. It is a day we grief the loss of our mothers, a day some grieve of not physically being a mother. This is a reality we need to be aware of as we celebrate. Mikel and I have had the opportunity to be in places where our parents have not been and we have always found that no matter where we live, we have had mother/grandmother figures in our lives. These relationships are relationships that we adore and are true blessings to all of our family, even our parents who live in another country (Texas). They know we are being taken care of (Mikel and the kids) and they some of us are being kept in line (Me).
For all those ladies who have been mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters to me thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have shaped me to be a better husband and father.
To my Mom, Susan, thanks for putting up with my crap all these years.
To my mother in law, Karen, thanks for trusting me to take care of your daughter.
To my wife, Mikel, thanks for sticking with me. I know this life is not easy and I have asked so much of you. You are the love of my life and the absolutely best mother on this planet (sorry everyone else, you missed out)!
To my daughters Zoe and Ryann, you may never understand how much you have taught me about being a human. I hope you know how much Mikel and I love you. I believe that you two will change the world. (I believe this for Noah too)
To all the woman and ladies I have had the opportunity to be your pastor, thank you for loving me, guiding me, and believing in me enough to be your pastor. You have taught me more than I can ever pretend to teach you.
For all of the wonderful ladies in my life, thank you. Keep up the good work. You are changing the world, whether you know it or not.
As we approach mothers day, remember that there are many people in our lives grieving this year. Be sensitive to that and make sure you hear their stories.
Make sure you celebrate the women in your life! Those ladies who have been pivotal influences in your life. Do your best to reach out in whatever way you can, whether it be a phone call, hug, text, or Facebook message, let the women in your life know they matter and have had an impact on your life.
Happy Mother’s and those who have been AMAZING Woman in my life Day!
Zach
Zach Bechtold is the Co-Founder of BeardedTheologians, you can partly blame his for all of this.
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