The best gift I received from my mom was given to me when I was very young. Really both my mom and dad gave it to me. They gave me the gift of knowing Jesus. I still have this gift, but it has meant so many different things to me through the years.
As a child, I used the gift daily. In grade school at Sacred Heart School in Shawano, we were taught to pray to Jesus daily. We knew He loved us and we were to return our love to Him. I didn’t fully understand the value of this gift though. During my high school years, the use of this gift dwindled. I knew where it was and pulled it out on weekends. Sometimes my friends and I would talk about Jesus, but the conversations were short and not real deep. Other interests were taking over my life, and the beautiful gift was getting ignored
As a young adult, the gift of knowing our Lord was stuck somewhere on a shelf, in an attic or a closet. I knew I still had it, but never cared to look for it. Once in a great while, someone would ask me if I believed,and I would respond yes. I was never ashamed of having it, never denied having it, I just never used it. These were some tough years. My life was full of fun and games, bad habits became daily, and a genuine darkness was overtaking me. This gift of Jesus was far from what I was looking for.
In 1992 I met this girl (she was very pretty) and we started talking about this gift of knowing Christ. Like me, she was given this same gift by her parents. It seemed to me she was using this gift more than I was. There was a strong desire to get to know this girl, Karen, much better. Instinct told me that in order to do that, I was going to have to find a way to utilize this gift my Mom gave me years ago. Jesus, where are you?
It was quickly apparent that I didn’t have to look too hard. Jesus was there all the time. My relationship with Karen blossomed into love and eventually the sacrament of matrimony. God, our Creator blessed us with two beautiful children. This gift of knowing our Lord was becoming invaluable. Beautiful events were happening in our lives, and we thanked Jesus daily and often. What a gift it was to have Him in our lives!
Still, some darkness lurked as well. Bad habits were not completely broken. There were life threatening events, a motorcycle accident, sickness, getting our kids through college and into their careers. Life was crazy busy and at times really scary. These were the times when Jesus told both Karen and me, “Do not be afraid, follow Me and I will give you rest!” We have done just that.
Having Christ in my daily life opened up my mind and heart to all the other gifts Mom and Dad provided. The day before Karen and I got married, I thanked Mom and Dad for my brothers and sisters. Our family did so many things together. I wanted my parents to know how much my siblings and the family meant to me. That is still true today. The gift of knowing Jesus is one every parent needs to give their child. Our love for each other starts with our Lord. God is Love! All true love starts with Him, and we are the instruments that spread God’s love.
Today, the best gift you can give your Mom, is to utilize the gift she gave you–the gift of knowing Jesus.
Mom, thank you for giving me the gift of knowing Jesus. Happy Mother’s Day! I love you.
Pax Christi,
Jim