A mother and a teacher are two of the best gifts in life a person could have. However, when those two gifts are combined, the individuals directly impacted did not receive a gift, but a blessing. My mother is a teacher; however, her favorite subject is not math, English, science, and social studies, neither does she teach at any school. My mother does not teach as a profession but as a lifestyle. My mother is a spiritual teacher. She teaches me wisdom that is far more precious than silver and gold. She educates me on concepts I will need as I grow old.
After my biological mother became ill, my spiritual mother took me into her care and continued caring for me even after my biological mother passed away. My biological mother’s illness never allotted us the time to have a strong mother and daughter bond; however, it wasn’t until I moved in with my spiritual mother that I realized I had been missing that bond.
In the beginning, I confused my spiritual mother’s corrections with fussing. Due to a lack of maturity, I thought I wasn’t making her happy when truly she was just teaching me things to help me better myself. My spiritual mother was teaching the spiritual tools I needed that my biological mother was unable to teach me. My spiritual mother started with small notions such as chores. Later on her level of teaching (to me) progressed to mannerism, then to wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Finally, during my senior year of high school, she started teaching more in depth about prayer. My spiritual mother was called by God to teach people prayer. However, because I am her daughter she educates me on more than just prayer.
Now that I am an adult and am trying to create a nice life for myself, I can hear my great aunt’s words echoing in my head, “Jack’ is some good to you! You might not like it now, but you will be grateful for her corrections later.” And indeed, I am truly grateful for all of her corrections and teachings. Moreover, I am thankful for the bond we share. Our relationship is stronger than it has ever been. She gives me that mother and daughter bond I longed for.
To my spiritual mother,
You are a mother to me. You are a TRUE woman of God, and God has used you to mold and shape me into the young lady I am today. You correct me when I am wrong, and praise me when I am right. You are always by my side. Your teachings not only come from your words but from your actions as well. You certainly live the life you preach and teach. You have a heart of gold and makes an effort to do all you can to help someone in need. In the midnight hour when I am asleep you pray for me. You pray for me even during moments we I don’t have since to pray for myself. You loved me when I did not know how to love myself. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me (Matthew 25:35-40).” You are always a call away, and because of the love you have shown me, I am eternally grateful.
Furthermore, it is very important that children obey and respect their parents (or guardians). No matter how old I get, I will always respect my spiritual mother (and spiritual father). My obedience to her is one of the key reasons I arrived where I am today; and even though at times a correction may seem uncomfortable, I still remember to listen, and respect my parents no matter what. In essence, it is important for a person to do all he can to show his parents (or guardians) that he loves and cares for them, because once they are gone, they will never come back.
