For Mothers and Mothers Day

A few months ago in a sermon, I told the story of a woman named Gertrude Bell, who lived 100 years ago, traveled widely, and shaped our world. In the midst of all her important adventures, she took time to write this letter to her mother, which I found to be a wonderful tribute to mothers.

Dearest Mother,

I don’t think I have ever told you — though it is constantly in my mind, how much I admire your fortitude and your splendid determination to suffer whatever must be suffered and not give way before the end is won. You use no fine phrases and yet there’s not one of us who has shown a finer spirit. Your letters scarcely give any hint of the weariness of the long strain which I can guess at. It’s your courage which is so splendid and I can’t tell you how much I admire and love it.  (Gertrude Bell - Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York.  2006 P. 297)

“Thanks Mom!” is the phrase that I use every time I think of my (late) mother.  To each of you “Moms,” I say “Thanks!”

Your friend and pastor,

Chris Pulliam