I hate my mom.

Ok. I lied. Sorry, Jesus. I don’t hate her. I just hate that she’s so bomb, that I could never live up to the hype of just how bomb she is. Many people will say this, but I mean this:

My mom is the epitome of what a boss woman is.

To me, she mirrors all I hope to become, all I strive to be now.

If there is anyone that my mom reminds me of, it’s the one woman in the Bible that every godly woman wants to be–the Proverbs 31 woman. 

If you are someone who has never ever heard of her, you better know this chick. Get settled in somewhere, and read Proverbs 31:10-31. 

In a nutshell, this woman gives me life! She is a woman that adds to her husband and is precious to him. She gets up early to take care of her household, yet she stays up late if needed. She makes sure her husband and kids are well cared for. She works hard, and she most definitely ain’t lazy. God has blessed this woman to be able to make things and she uses her talents accordingly. She be making clothes and sheets and be buying up land and helping those in need. This woman got it goin on. SHE A BOSS.

What woman doesn’t want to be her????

I used to be mad at her to be honest. I’d look at Proverbs 31 and be like, “God. You trippin. Why put this woman in there to put us other women all to shame??” But I doubt that was ever God’s intention. I don’t think God expects every woman on the planet to do things exactly like she did. I just think God likes to give us glimpses of the amazing potential we have inside of us if we just allow Him to work through us. He worked through this woman and she was incredible enough to be mentioned in the Bible. I think even now, He’s working through my mom, me, and other women in my life and in this world to become the amazing women we are today. 

My mom–she blows me away. I really don’t understand how she does the things she does. She could take $25.00 or less and make sure we’re fed for a week (and best believe, whatever she cooks is gonna taste like a slice of heaven). I’m the oldest of three, but even with being the oldest, I am a bit spoiled. Ok, so my mom would say that I’m A LOT spoiled. I can’t help it though. My mom always made sure I had everything I needed and then some. She did the same for my siblings. My mom always made sure that as long as my grades were good, I wouldn’t miss out on any activity I wanted to take part in, and if you know me, you’d know that I’m the queen of activities and wanting to stay busy. I don’t know how she did it, but I wanted to be in band, I was in band. I wanted to be on the dance team all 4 years of high school, she made it happen. I wanted to be a cheerleader, she was like, “Ok then, try out for it.” I did, and I got to participate. Every year of high school, I got elected to be on the Homecoming Court, and every year, my mom would make sure my dress was fly, my hair and nails were done, and that if my date ain’t have monies to feed me, that I had my own dollars in my clutch to cover my tab (by the way, my date would always have money to feed me, but what my mom taught me with the money thing is a lesson that will forever be with me, lol). If I didn’t know better, I’d think my mom had a clone. She would make sure we lacked for nothing, that we went to church faithfully, and that our life was good. Every Christmas was special, every holiday was filled with smiles and laughter…shoot, we even had a dog for a couple of years. 

I just don’t understand how my mom is built. 

Even now, my son Ethan sees how he has the best nana on the planet. She’s his biggest cheerleader and loves him to pieces. You can’t tell my mom nothing about her grandbaby. If you do, get ready for a fight, lol.

My mom is bomb. My mom gives me life. My mom is such a blessing that it’s insane for me to even try to sum up all that she is to me. 

When I read over Proverbs 31, I think how blessed I am to have a mom like this woman. She is not exactly like the Proverbs 31 woman, true. My mama ain’t no early riser, lol, and she ain’t sewin’ up no clothes, either. But my mom is a provider. She is a woman of prayer. She my ride or die. My mom is a firm believer in tithing and she has made me a firm believer of it, too. My mom makes sure her family is good. She works late. She gives advice. She loves her family and has enough love in her heart to extend to others. My mom is irreplaceable.

Mama, I may not be able to put in words how I feel, but I’m grateful I don’t have to because the Word of God echos exactly what my heart wants to say to you:

Proverbs 31:25-29 (NLT)

Mama, we, your family, stand and bless you. Please know that nothing you do or have done for us has been in vain. I watch how you operate. I’m mindful of how tired you are sometimes, but yet you still make time for your husband and your kids. You’re my best friend. I can tell you anything. Even when it’s something you not even comfortable hearing, you listen and you give me sound advice. You showed me how to be a woman that loves God. You inspire me to be a woman of prayer. You are freakin’ amazing. 

Mom, you have the work ethic of Ruth.

You have the bravery of Rahab.

You have the faith of Hannah.

You have the courage of Esther.

You have the wit of Tamar.

You have the strength and heart of Mary.

You, mom, have it all. 

God, thank You for allowing me to be the daughter of Andrea Denise Higgins. I couldn’t ask for a better role model. My mom isn’t perfect, and that’s what makes her all the more amazing because neither am I. Even in her mistakes, she is real about them because she wants me to learn from them. You made ways out of no ways at all for my mom and my family. I’ve seen you do miracle after miracle in our lives. We have never lacked for anything: food, clothes, purpose, or love. You have worked in and through my mom all my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to witness that for myself. I may not know how to be like my mom, but I don’t need to. You, God, uniquely made her, so she can’t be cloned or copied, and I’m glad because ain’t no mama like the one I got. I’m just so thankful that what I have learned from her over the years is so deep down in my heart..that her words, her encouragement, and her life lessons will be with me and held in my heart for as long as I live. God, you outdid yourself when you made my mom. 

Mama, I pray this Mother’s Day is as amazing as you are. Thank you for being my biggest supporter, my encourager, my sounding board, my voice of reason. Thank you for tellin’ me when to suck it up and when it’s ok to fall apart. Thank you for making me laugh so hard that my tummy hurts and for calling me out when I’m wrong. Mama, I love and adore you. The final lines in Proverbs 31 say it best–

Proverbs 31:30-31 (NLT): 

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
³¹ Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

You are greatly praised, ma. Praise God for moms like you.