Chuck Bridges Blog

Some people are old enough to think of one of the best athletes in the sport of boxing when you hear the title “The Greatest.” That’s what Muhammad Ali called himself and the title has stayed with him for all these years. While he was “Great” at his sport, I can say with all confidence that he is not ‘THE Greatest!’ Actually, while there are many “Great” people in our world today and recorded in the history of the world, I want to suggest that none of them rise above the GREATNESS of the world’s MOTHERS!

A little boy in primary school was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. He quickly said, “I am going to be a Lion Tamer.” He was asked if he would be afraid to get in the cage with a lion. Without hesitation the boy replied: “Of course I won’t be afraid, I’ll have my Mother with me!” One of the great President’s of our country, Abraham Lincoln, said about his Mom: “”All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” Winston Churchill once stated in a famous speech that he would not be where he was without the influence of his Mother!

While many other famous people could be quoted giving credit to their Moms for who they have become, I have to say that none of them could hold a candle to two of “THE GREATEST MOTHERS” this world has ever known — My MOTHER and the MOTHER of my children!!! God knew what kind of Mom it would take to love someone like me and He certainly knew it would take someone real special to live with me and raise a family of our own. As I reflect on the role of these two ladies in my life, it makes me stop to PRAISE GOD for giving me both of them!

My Mom is really an incredible Woman! She was raised in a very simple family with very little material means. She was taught very early in her life about the love of God and accepted Christ as her Savior as a young girl. Her Dad died when she was only 12 years old making it necessary for her to quit school and help support her family. Though times were hard, she kept her faith in God and treasured her family. She married my Dad when she was only 18 (I think it is OK because they are working on 57 years!) and gave birth to 5 children. I have never known a time when my Mom was not cooking, cleaning, sewing, or just listening to her children, grandchildren, and others share about their lives. Even through a grueling battle with colon cancer (that she is presently winning, Praise the Lord!) she has kept her faith and smile, encouraging her family and those who know her. MOM, you are the GREATEST MOTHER that any son or daughter could ever ask for and I LOVE YOU!

God continued to bless my life beyond my family of origin with another GREAT MOM — MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE! She not only gave birth to our 2 precious children but she has also been the GREATEST MOM to them through their young lives. To this day our son who is 23 loves to jump on his MOM, wrestle with her, and just love on her! Our daughter is so close to her MOM that I really think she views her as much as a buddy as she does a MOM. Our children have always shared their deepest heart-felt needs with their MOM. She has always done “Whatever it Took” (and much more) to make sure our children were happy, nourished, and adequately resourced for their tasks. She has made our home a place of outward love, tons of laughter, and a place of solitude from the world.

Honey, you are ONE of the GREATEST MOMS OF ALL and I LOVE YOU!

I hope you have the chance this week to share with the special MOMs in your life just how precious they are to you! To all the Moms who read this blog let me say: “HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!” God bless you for just being YOU!