Comforting Words

Throughout my life I would say that my mom was the one who did the comforting when I needed it most.

As a 7th grader, I didn't make the volleyball team. I'm sure you can sympathize with a head-strong 13-year-old who thought for sure she was the best "hitter" OMS had ever seen. Up until that point, disappointment didn't really show itself to me. But that evening when the girls were separated into three different sections (actually it reminds of American Idol when they send the contestants to different rooms) and I found out I was in the section of girls who didn't make it...

Mom was there.

She was there to reassure me when all of the prom dresses I liked didn't fit or didn't look right on my frame. It's difficult for a junior in high school when all the girls are "a certain size" and can wear the latest styles, and I never seemed to fit that mold. And when I thought I wouldn't look as pretty...

Mom was there. She told me I was beautiful.

When I tried out for the CMSU softball team and the coach said she didn't have a spot for another pitcher...even when I just couldn't understand it...

You guessed it...she was there. She said God had another place for me to play.

Most of these may seem silly, but in those moments, mom knew they were a big deal. She knew what to say.

When bigger issues in life have come and gone, she's been there for me as well. If I feel like I'm not being the wife I'm supposed to be. Or when my children are acting as if I've never disciplined them even once. Or when I question where God has me. Even though she is a small, 5'4 woman, she has very big shoulders to cry on!


Yet...every once in a while...my dad becomes a voice of reason.

To be honest, it's not very often that I call him with a hurting heart. Guys aren't generally ones who know the best words to say when a female is crying. I don't usually want to bother him with my emotions, and I'm horrible at talking about difficult situations with him.

But in a moment when I needed him most, he came through. "You are doing a wonderful job with your children. You know who you are, and you know your true character. Do not ever let someone else try convince you otherwise."

Wow. Thanks, dad. I'm not really sure he knows how much it means to me to hear him say those words.

I could never fully express how my parents have blessed my life. Even though my mom has usually been the one to comfort me, my dad sometimes steps up and gives me words of encouragement when I really need them.

I'm very thankful. And now that I'm a parent myself, I tend to thank them even more often.