Mom & Me

Theo connected.

Mom connects.

Both are easy to love. They don’t have many enemies.

But that doesn’t mean none. Some even hated our Lord.

But Mom and Theo like people. They smile at people. They look at them in face. They are kind.

Theo of Golden

Like Theo of Golden. Theo was our book club’s selection this week. Even the mostly non-fiction readers among us, and I include myself in those who prefer facts, were charmed by Theo.

The book is a soul decompressor. Pleasantly and gently (mostly), Theo beckoned us to become more attentive, more gracious, more kind. It coaxes. You don’t know till you close it how your spirit has grown.

But it has.

You’ll want to be more like Theo. And, as some of know, I’m taking biblical Greek. (This post in fact, is a study break. The final is next week.)

Suffice to say, I don’t deserve to pass if I can read “Theo” and not see “θεὸς.” θεὸς is God in Greek. Theo of Golden put God’s glory on display. He was, I do believe a reflection of God.

He did it in mostly small, unseen ways. That the best part of one’s life— to quote William Wordsworth, as Theo did, is “the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.”

And those acts come when we connect. Kindness and love are felt when we look a soul square in the face and listen and ask. 

He Could Connect

That is to connect.

Like Theo.

“Theo was not particularly comfortable with small talk. His own active mind and colorful thoughts were so engaging that shallow babble felt at times like an intrusion, an interruption, a subtraction. That said, and all because of his capacious spirit, sidewalk chats became a welcome part of his day. He was a master at adapting the depth and tone of his comments to whomever he was with at a given moment. Be it a 12-year-old NASCAR fan, a one-armed bartender, a homeless woman, or a disgruntled accountant, he could connect. And he always listened with interest. Genuine interest.” (Allen Levi, p. 222)

Do you have friend like Theo?

Are you a friend like Theo?

Darlene of Elkhorn

Darlene of Elkhorn is my mom. She can connect. Mom connects with all her kids and grandkids, with her church friends and her teacher friends and her farmer’s market friends. This is a highly diverse crew.

Mom takes delight in all sorts of people. She always listens with interest, even if it means adjusting her hearing aid or asking, with a smile, for a repeat these days.

And, I pray, day by day it becomes more me. 

Now, and I beg your pardon if this sounds self-promoting, I do not mean it to be. Every good gift is from above.

Every single one. Including the kindness we give and receive. 

The Best Compliment I Got

I want to share the best compliment I’ve had in quite some time. And, as Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” I’m within that window, and still flying high.

Before I share those words, note: they were handwritten, even as Theo and Mom hand write notes. Here now is that high praise written on the 50th birthday card I opened last month. 

“Happy 50th year of God’s faithfulness to you. I admire your love of Jesus, and the fascination and delight you seem to find in the people He has created.”

That is it. She is right, and so very kind to mention it. I am fascinated by people and do take delight in them. 

All glory to our delighted (see Isaiah 62:4), delightful (see Psalm 36:8) and oh-so-interested Creator and Lord.

But it’s Mother’s Day. I’d love to hear from you. What happy or noble trait did your mom pass down to you? 

“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

—Proverbs 21:21 (ESV)