Momma's Smile

I sat at my momma's side in church for 15 years. Always in the same pew. I noticed something different about her, she smiled when our pastor spoke. Since that was not the norm, I always wondered. One day I couldn't stand it any longer and I asked, "Momma, why do you smile at Dr. McCall when he is speaking?"

Her answer was classic Mable Thomas.

You see, my mom is a giver. An unselfish, no holds barred, giver. She doesn't have another mode. It is who she is and who you experience when you meet her. If you squelch that in her you would rob her of her joy. The world doesn't always know how to handle generosity of spirit and self. That's not her problem, she'll just keep it up a hundred percent no matter what.

Along with that comes unselfishness and lack of self-consciousness. Natural friendliness and passionate loyalty follow up . Needs met make her happiest.

So what was her answer to my question?

"I feel like he needs to see at least one person smiling at him as he looks out on the congregation." A gift from the heart. An encouraging one, at that.

Here we are at Mother's Day once again. What gift do I receive every time we are together?

Whether she is opening the back door to welcome us in, sitting at her table full of food that she's prepared, cleaning up the kitchen after the fact, holding a great-grand baby just days or moments old, or giving my dad his marching orders....her smile.

So here is her legacy,

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart,

not grudgingly,

or of necessity,

for God loves a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV