Who Helped Make You, You?

When I think of who has influenced my life over my 39 years many names and faces cross my mind.  It was difficult to narrow down my choice. I did, however, decide on one - my mother-in-law, Greta Brown.  I have had the privilege of watching her up close for the last 15 years.  When I venture back in my mind, many things resurface regarding the influence she has had on me and many of you reading this blog.  Here is what I wrote for our ladies conference that sums up who she is to me and why she has been such an influence on me.  (I was to use words beginning with the "w" in Brown in my description.)

 

“W”

• Mom is a WOMAN. 

• She has great WEALTH when it comes to her family, her faith and her God. 

• She is WISE in counsel, WHIMSICAL when she plays with her grandchildren, WILLFUL when she wants what she wants and never WAVERING in her commitment to her Father God.

• Although she may be a WORRIER at times, it is the kind of WORRY all mothers have – a genuine love, concern and devotion for her children.

• She is not WHINY and has very little tolerance for those who do WHINE.  WHINING is a WASTE of time and energy.

• Mom has a WONDERFUL WAY to communicate the teachings of GOD to both small children, which I have seen first hand, and to adults, as we all will witness here this weekend.

• She will always take an opportunity to WITNESS when presented the chance.  That may include leaving a track after eating a meal out or striking up conversation with someone sitting next to her on a plane (if she is not asleep).

• She WAKES early to spend time with her Lord in prayer, reading and studying. 

• Mom determined long ago her family WILL stay together, they WILL know the Lord and they WILL serve Him to the best of their abilities.  I am a product of her WILL.

Who has influenced you?  How have they influenced you?  Please take a moment and share…I would love to hear what you have to say!

In Him,

Stefanie

 

Comments

[Michelle Pilaczynski]

Stephanie - I loved what you wrote today. I would have to say my Mom was and still is the most influential person in my life. She passed away 2 yrs ago. There is not a day goes by that I do not miss her - either with a smile or a tear. She loved the Lord, She loved her husband and she loved her children. She loved EVERYONE - she didnt know a stranger. She loved all, she always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt - and she ALWAYS chose to see the good in all. She always gave me that advice - "michelle love everyone" I would always tell her how much I loved her and she always took my face in her hands and said "michelle that is just how your pretty eyes see me" "that is the good in you" I will always cherish those words. After I lost my Mom, I always make it a point to anyone to tell them "love your mother and tell her you love her at least once a day" You WILL miss her like no other. She always advised me even at the age of 39. I loved that about her. She NEVER quit being a mom. I always pray that God will give me those qualities that she had. I try every day to love everyone. I thank my Lord everyday for blessing me with the most wonderful Mother in the world.

[Tammy Akins]

Stefanie ~ I continue to enjoy your blog! Thank so much for taking the time to write it. Like Michelle, my mom has been one of the most influential people in my life and still is. I cannot remember one time in my life that she has not been there for me...good and bad. She loves her children fiercely and prays for us daily...several times a day I would imagine! When one of us is hurting...so is she. She has been a strong example in my life as a Christian wife and mother and all that entails. I have watched her stand faithfully beside my dad through over 30 yrs of ministry...clinging to God in the hard times and praising Him in the good times! When I strayed from God for a period of time in my life, she prayed until....until I came back into the fold. She clung to God's promise that if you train a child up in the way she should go...she will not stray from it. She sacrificed to be a stay-at-home mom b/c she couldn't stand the thought of someone else raising her kids. As a strong-willed child, she had her work cut out for her in raising me! I know it wasn't easy for her, but she was ALWAYS consistent in her discipline of me...ALWAYS! I am forever grateful to her for that b/c I shudder to think where I would have ended up had she given in to me and allowed me to do everything I wanted. I still seek her guidance in decisions I have to make. She has always taught me to seek God's will and do it...no matter what that means. I firmly believe that many of the blessings I have received as an adult are a result of God blessing her and my dad's faithfulness. We had several hard years where we did nothing but butt heads! She continued to love me and was my MOM...not my friend. Now that I am grown..she is my best friend after my husband. We can hang out as friends but she can slip back into Mom-mode in the blink of an eye when I need my mom! I thank GOD for blessing me with my mom!

[Amber Flowers]

I would have to say my Grandma. I did not grow up in a Christian family. My dad was saved when he was 6, but fell away from what he believed, an my mom grew up catholic. Despite both of those factors, God still had his hand over our family becuase of my Grandma's continous prayers. When my grandpa go sick in 2000 it caused my family to move in with my grandma for a couple of months. It is in that time that I began to learn about God and life He desired for me to have. Although I did not get saved at that time at her house, it wet my appeite for God. That spring when we moved to Port St. Lucid I had such a hunger for a God I did not know, but who has known me long before I was born. So when we moved we immediately located a chuch that happened to be down the road from our house. That first Sunday we walked to church and have all been in church ever since. I know this had to be a result of a prayer warrior - my Grammy Flowers (: and I am so thankful for that because if it weren't for her prayers and Godly influence I don't know where, or who I'd be today!