When I think of all that the Lord has blessed me with, I daily give thanks for the joys of having a God-fearing mother who has helped to love and to lead me.

She has played such a critical part in my life, and I can't imagine a life lived without her.

Mothers were intended by God to be nurturing comforters, the ones we could turn to and the ones who would help direct us when we felt lost. And as I've grown, I have come to realize that not all mothers are the ones we share biological connections with.

I am beyond grateful for the love and care I have been lavished with by my birth mother, and I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. I have also reached a point where I understand that I have been blessed with more than just one mother who loves me.

At the age of 16, when the world is a temperamental place and we are anxious to discover who we are as individuals, we all search for acceptance somewhere. Thankfully, I found an abundance of not just acceptance but genuine love in the open doors of a church and the open arms of a women's ministry.

From the moment I stepped in, I could feel the love of God radiating from every inch of these women and I knew at that moment that I had just been adopted into at least five new families.

Thank you.

I simply can't restate those words enough, because they alone are insufficient to express the undying appreciation I feel towards you all.

You made me your friend when I felt friendless and your daughter when I hungered for the fellowship of other women.

Where would I be without you?

Your care for me and your bold approaches to the throne room of God were not limited to the Sunday-morning or the Wednesday-evening services. Whenever I needed someone to talk to, you all were there, asking how you could pray for me.

I never went to the altar alone. You were right there, crying out to God along with me, and together we ruined our church makeup, mascara streaming down our faces and faces covered by tattered tissues.

Every step of the way, you walked with me, offering biblical advice and your precious time to listen to me try to talk things through.

You are far more precious than even the most priceless jewels, and your joyously taking on the task of being another mother of mine has meant more to me than any fiscal riches.

When I scroll through the contact list in my phone, I am met with a list of several different Mamas because you each have made a lasting impression on me, and I am proud to call you my other mothers.