Mama…She is one of a Kind!

Mama…She is the woman who labored to carry me and you for nine months, labored hard to bring us safely into this world, labored to see us through the snorty noses, bruised knees, broken bones as well as the first words, first steps, first foods, first tears, first everything. She exemplifies a quiet strength and reveals a depth of fortitude only she can carry with such grace. She is a mother. All these attributes and many, many more, describe most mothers, including my own. As we take time to celebrate mothers this week, we ought to also take time to reflect on what it takes to be a great mother.

There are many women I could honor and highlight but time and space limits me. I will attempt to name a few key figures whose lives have touched mine and whose example will lead generations to calling them blessed…

First, to the one who gave birth to me and has been my rock as well as my refuge. Angelina Nafula Masinde is a force to be reckoned with. She has determination, grace and a conquering spirit against the works of darkness. Her power does not rest in what you see on the outside. It rests in her persistent prayers in the secret place. I have never known a person who prays so diligently and persists so long, even when everything seems lost, until she sees God do what He promised. The greatest gift she ever infused in me was a life of prayer. I love her with all my heart and hope to honor her by being a man of prayer all the days of my life. Generations will call her blessed…

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The greatest gift she ever infused in me was a life of prayer. I love her with all my heart and hope to honor her by being a man of prayer all the days of my life.

The one I married, Tiwanda Ann Masinde. She is a beacon of strength and a great mother to our children. She can take on several tasks and conquer each one seemingly with grace and candor. I am privy to all she does to run our household, nurture our children, work full time, and serve faithfully at the church. I am also privy to all her inner struggles and the things that she faces daily yet I know that she carries the weights and burdens of her life so well that others only see the fruit. From now on, generations will call her blessed…

The one who brought me back to Christ, Mama Flo Kidd. She had an intensity about her and a deeply held faith and belief that God would do what He promised if we only fully surrender our lives to Him. She was a mother to many and her life lives on in and through us. Generations will call her blessed…

Mothers who exemplify the true nature of Christ deserve God’s best and a place of honor amongst men as they are truly regarded in heaven.

The one who found me, lost and confused, on NC State’s Campus, Mindy Sopher. She has no children of her own yet she has served and cared for thousands of students at NC State as if they were her own. She lacks no honor with regards to motherhood. She lacks no grace with regards to nurturing young lives. She deserves to be called blessed all the days of her life and beyond.

The ones who have carried me in the toughest times, my 4 sisters and my aunt Judy. They are all mothers to wonderful children. They believed in me and always kept hope alive. They have constantly been a bastion of faith and hope under all circumstances. They strive, against all odds, to do the best and sacrifice deeply for their children. At times, I have been the one they strive to help. From now on, generations will call them blessed…

The one who has always believed in us, prayed unceasingly for us, and encouraged us no matter how bad things were, Debbi Morgan. And to the many women at CLF church who have constantly prayed, encouraged, spoken, and sometimes rebuked me. They are mothers in the faith and a great treasure in Jerusalem, the house of God. Generations will call them blessed…

And the list goes on and on and on to my mother-in-law, Barbara Marsh, my sisters in law...it is an endless list and words would fail to describe the magnitude of my gratitude. Mothers who exemplify the true nature of Christ deserve God’s best and a place of honor amongst men as they are truly regarded in heaven. Generations will call them blessed…

Where would we be without mothers? What would become of us? How would we cope? Who would we turn to? Who would travail for us? Who would nurture us? Who would care for us? The Lord, in His marvelous wisdom knew it was not good for man to be alone and in giving him a woman, he gave us mothers.

Happy Mothers’ day to all the moms out there!