Chicken Enchiladas and Mother's Day

In my childhood days, Chicken Enchiladas were the tastiest and most wonderful food in the world. When my mom and dad were young newly weds in college, they were invited to supper at a family's home. They were served Chicken Enchiladas and loved them, so they asked for the recipe. They became my mom's "company meal" and I have many fond memories that include Chicken Enchiladas.

I remember the Chicken Enchilada assembly line made up of my mom, my sister, and me. Someone would put on the sauce, someone would put on the filling, then someone would roll them up and put them in the pan. I liked being the "roller". The next few hours would be spent making the house look nice for company the next day and setting the table pretty.

When the company did arrive, a beautiful meal would be set before them and hours of conversation and fellowship would follow. My siblings and I always looked forward to Chicken Enchilada days.

I just finished making a batch of Chicken Enchiladas for company tomorrow. It wasn't quite the same without the assembly line. But it brought a lot of good memories to mind. And it made me think about the things I learned from my mom. It seems like an appropriate time to write about them, since it's Mother's Day week.

My mom taught me many things throughout the years, from character lessons to special company recipes. But a few things especially come to mind today.

My mom taught me to live by my convictions, even when it's hard and the people around you aren't supportive. My mom lived by her convictions, especially in the way she raised her children. It was not an easy lifestyle, but it was peaceful. She taught me that no matter how hard it is to live a lifestyle of conviction, God will give you peace if you will just obey Him. Thanks to her willingness to persevere, she now has a legacy of children who share and live by the convictions she established by obeying God and His Word.

My mom taught me that my worth as a person does not come from my physical accomplishments, but from my spiritual accomplishments. She taught me that my pursuits should revolve solely around God's desire for my life, and that my talents and interests could be developed for His purposes. Sometimes the world will look down on you for not following the commonly accepted path to success, but what matters is what God sees.

My mom taught me to love the church. In an age of church bashing and making fun of the truth, she stands by her preacher-husband as he speaks the truth and does his best to live by it. She was in the midst of disagreements and challenges in the church, but stayed and continued loving Christ's bride. She builds up and encourages the saints at Pleasant Valley and finds ways to encourage other preacher's wives and young mothers. For almost 25 years she has been serving the Pleasant Valley congregation as the preacher's wife and she truly loves the friends and family there.

My mom taught me to love children. Through foster care and adoption, she touched many lives and taught many little ones about Jesus. I was lucky enough to be born into her home, others were lucky enough to be influenced by her for a few years, months, or days. Children are precious in God's eyes, and influencing the life of a child brings eternal results. My mom taught me to see children as the blessings that they are, and that when my time comes I should fully embrace the role of mother.

My mom taught me that femininity is not old fashioned or out of date. She taught me that being feminine is the role God gave to women, and that submission is power and not weakness. She showed me what it looks like to be a keeper and home and to put family first.

My mom taught me that the simple life is the best life. Life is not just about pursuing money, education, and bigger and better things... but about loving the simplicity of every day life and being joyful and content in whatever circumstance you are in.

My mom taught me that wearing aprons is cool, tea parties are not just for little girls, dolls can be collected over a lifetime, and sarcasm is a form of communication. She taught me that clothes lines are better than dryers, shopping is a form of exercise, and that the people in your family can truly be your best friends.

And in case you were wondering, Chicken Enchiladas are still the tastiest and most wonderful food in the world. So as I made some today, I shed a few quiet tears (and not just because the onions were strong). I'm thankful for my mom, the friend she is to me, the childhood she gave me, the lessons she taught me, and the memories she provided me with. I do not get to spend this Mother's Day with her, but on Sunday my husband and I will enjoy a special Mother's Day meal of Chicken Enchiladas, in honor of mom. I love you.