Through the years, I too had friends and family give teacups to add to my own collection. My Mother gave me several.
Mom was intelligent and successful, surviving an abusive marriage to my Dad, and coming out of it stronger and determined. Mom worked outside of the home her whole life – perhaps to escape the fear she faced at home – perhaps to use her many gifts and gain independence. After leaving dad – a huge ordeal in itself, she built up a career beginning as a bookkeeper, and ended up as the general manager of a construction company – building resorts, hotels, condos and luxury homes. She secretly helped to support my Grandparents for decades. I was very proud of her accomplishments, her intelligence, and many skills. My friends said she was a classy lady, and I fully agree.
The red rose cup – from one of her many travels around the world – was bought for me because she knew how much I loved roses. It is exquisite and expensive, true to her generous nature. We had an amazing relationship throughout my life. She knew me – the good and the ugly – yet loved me unconditionally. In many ways, my understanding of God’s unconditional love was shown to me by my Mother’s example. We were truly best friends throughout our adult years, and Mom was my biggest fan and encourager. She would brag about my artistic and ministerial accomplishments to whoever would listen – much to my embarrassment. And as I went through some very serious injuries – to my body and also my heart, Mom was there bringing comfort and encouragement; and sometimes, very needed tough love.
After spending the majority of 70 years in Wisconsin, Mom moved out to California to be near us after she retired. One day, we were at a restaurant overlooking the ocean, having one of many delightful lunches together – her favorite word by the way – delightful! I asked her what she was most passionate about and how she wanted to spend her retirement. I expected to hear her tell me she wanted to travel, or take classes, because she loved both. The answer surprised me – yet made perfect sense. She told me she wanted to devote her time to people. She truly loved people and sought to discover all she could learn and love about those around her. “ For God so loved the world” as John 3 :16 reminds us. That was Mom. I have never known anyone who could make so many friends in such a short time!
She was here not quite 2 years before a brain tumor cut her life short. Mom was so close to Jesus, so confidant in His love and care for her, that she had no fear of death. As we faced an impending brain surgery, I asked how I could best pray for her. She told me of just two things that brought her great concern. The first, was that God’s will would be done in her life – not what she wanted, and not what we wanted for her – but what Christ alone wanted. “Don’t pray for me to get healed if God wants me to come to him. You must pray only for his will!” How could I argue with this request?
The second concern she spoke with tears in her eyes. “I want people to see Jesus in me throughout this time. All I want is to be pleasing in God’s sight and do nothing to disparage His name. I want to be kind and loving to everyone, even if I’m not in my right mind. I don’t want to disappoint Him.” Mom went peacefully home with Jesus just six weeks later, and she fulfilled her goals to the glory of God.
Mom was not perfect, and we didn’t always agree. But she was being perfected in Jesus. I have years of wonderful memories of her joy and exuberance in life. This teacup reminds me of Mom, and of how blessed I am to have had her as my best friend for so many years.
I have since had to grow though the pain of her loss. I realized that I never really knew how to give myself fully in friendship – because Mom was always there to fill any voids. But God has opened my heart to several women I have grown to cherish. I have wonderful girls who married my three sons, and who have given me 6 grandsons, and 5 granddaughters. I have good friends – new best friends – and family – to love and be loved by.
I believe God has given each one of us, precious women in our own lives to bless us and for us to be a blessing to. My hope for you, is that you would cherish the love of the women and young ladies in your life, seeing them for what they truly are – a gift from God. I know that’s what I’m reminded of each time I view Mom’s Teacup.
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