My parents were married November 4th, 1944. The war was on, times were tough and money was tight. They had a very simple ceremony although no one thought to take any pictures, cameras were a luxury. The honeymoon was a short train trip to Truro which was just a few hours away. There was however a ring…a beautiful white and yellow gold band that had tiny forget-me-nots engraved on it. When my Mom passed away this year that ring was left to me. After 61 years of marriage (my Dad passed away in March of ’06) and having been on her finger for more than 65 years the band was worn thin and the forget-me-nots were completely faded away. However that did not diminish the value of the ring to me. I wear it proudly everyday and cherish it deeply. My Mom did not need the forget-me-nots to remember my Dad and her commitment to him and I don’t need them to remember her. The flowers were long worn off before I was even born. My parents had three children, eight grandchildren and currently have two great-grandchildren. All this is direct evidence that they once lived, they once loved and they will always be a part of our family’s history. This is my first Mother’s Day without my mom but it is not the ring with or without the faded flowers that makes me remember her. I will always remember her smile, her beauty and most of all her faith. My mom prayed for her family every weekday for an hour starting at 6:00 AM and kept it up for over 35 years. She trusted in the Lord to answer those prayers and He continues to do so. He has not forgotten even though she is now with Him.

As we live our busy lives here on earth and as our days get cluttered with an ever growing list of responsibilities we cannot forget what is really important. I don’t just remember my mom on Mother’s Day or her birthday she is always in my heart I carry a piece of her faith with me everyday as my personal walk with God continues to grow. And as I pray for my children I am keeping her spiritual tradition alive. God also summons us not to forget Him. We are here for a purpose and the hour is getting short. We need to carry God with us in our hearts and live, really live for Him each day. Our focus needs to be on Him not on our problems. There are times we keep areas of our lives to ourselves we don’t allow God access to every hurt, every dream, every fear. We try to solve the problem first and then run to God when our way doesn’t work. We need to go to God first and allow Him access to every hidden and secret corner of our lives. We need to see every opportunity we have to serve Him and to let others see Him in us. God loves us, He has wonderful plans for each of our lives but we have to invite Him in. He is pleading with us “forget me not.”

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publically declare her praise.” Proverbs 31: 29-31 NLT

From all your friends at Noah’s Ark we wish you all a Blessed and Happy Mother’s Day.