courtney ferguson

Today is Mother’s Day and this year, like every year, I feel overwhelmed and gifted with the women in my life who are Mom to me. But this year also feels different. This recent season has been battered with some difficult moments that have impacted all of us, but especially these women I admire and adore so much. For this reason, I felt it important to note some particular strengths and qualities I’ve gotten the chance to observe in each of them. Thank you to each of you, for how you’ve gracefully shown me how to be a godly woman and how to love and serve others full-heartedly. I love all of you dearly.

Mama,
I know this has been a tough few months for you. You’ve lost the physical presence of one of your biggest heroes and in the midst of emotional pain you’ve been dealing with physical pain that has left professionals scratching their heads. I wish these experiences didn’t have to be yours, but I think you should know some things you’ve modeled for your girls. Your strength throughout all of this has left me astounded and proud to call you Mom. You’ve demonstrated faith “in any and every circumstance”. You’ve modeled total dependency on and trust in Christ. You’ve showed us how to laugh in the midst of pain. You’ve shown gratitude despite your situation and that is a reflection of your character. Thank you for showing us how to face hard things with grace and humility. Thank you for teaching us how to be big hearted. Thank you for continuing to serve your family in spite of this physical challenge. Thank you for being mom, wife, daughter, best friend, supporter, challenger, and Christ-follower to all of us. We are blessed by you…more than we can say. I love you Mom.

Nana,
I want to start with thank you. Thank you for being willing to step in and be mom to me so many years ago when Mom and Dad were working hard to get things aligned for our family. I love getting to tell people what you and Pop have meant to me over the years and how special it was that we got to live with you for a period of time. I don’t know what that experience was like for you as a mother of adult children and as a grandmother, but I think it’s important you know that for me that time was exceedingly significant. I love being your granddaughter. I love all of our fun memories of laughing until we cry, sharing stories, math tutoring sessions, hours-long talks, piano lessons, road trips across the country, and lots and lots of hugs. I also want you to know over the past couple of years I’ve observed qualities in you that I didn’t always notice before. Nana you are one of the strongest women I know. Faithful is a picture that fits snugly around your character and all of us grandchildren are blessed by that. I hope someday I grow the grace you’ve demonstrated throughout this season and can bless others simply with my life. Thank you for who you are and all that you do without even realizing it. I love you Nana.

Pam,
I wasn’t expecting you. When a girl thinks of the man she will marry she also wonders who else will become her family. I’ve said this before and will always say it…I hit the jackpot with you guys. God knew the mother-in-love who would be perfect for me would be someone who is gentle, wise, affectionate, and a hard chaser after Christ. You are all of these and more. Thank you for raising a man who understands the importance of seeking Christ first and leading his family in that. Thank you for raising a man who knows how to love deeply, humbly, and gently. His life is a reflection of your heart and it is colored in beauty. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms and loving me well from the beginning. I feel at home with you. I knew you were someone I admired, but these past two weeks have deepened that admiration. You’ve walked this unexpected season with grace and conviction of God’s love. My faith has grown simply by watching you. Thank you for loving others so well and setting the example for the rest of us. Your life is a gift to those who know you. I love you Pam.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:25-31