Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” (Proverbs 31:28-29 NLT).

Yesterday I talked about security. Today is my wife’s birthday, and I cannot help but think of the many times she has come to the rescue of our family. In fact, we have taken to calling her a “she-bear.” While that may not sound as flattering as it is meant, a little explanation will help you understand its roots. There is no other animal more powerful and ferocious in the protection of her family than a bear. For those of you who know Mary, you know that she is quiet and typically very reserved. However, all of that changes if she feels her family is threatened in any way. Then, she ferociously comes to their defense. It is one of her best qualities, though there are many more. She serves as a great example to others. The following story seems to fit very well. Perhaps it will serve as an encouragement to you in these days when parenting is so challenging.

By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into the sixth day working overtime. An Angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?" And the Lord answered and said, "Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; have 200 moveable parts, all replicable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands." The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No Way!" said the Angel. The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!" "And that's on the standard model?" the Angel asked. The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks the children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of the head is to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair is here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The Angel tried to stop the Lord. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish." "But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower." The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord." "She is soft," the Lord agreed," but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish." "Will she be able to think?" Asked the Angel. The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate." The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one." "That's not a leak." the Lord objected. "That's a tear!" "What's the tear for?" asked the Angel. The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride." The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything for this one. You even created the tear!" The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, "I'm afraid you are wrong again, my friend. I created the woman, but she created the tear!"

Happy birthday Mary! And, thanks for being such a wonderful “she-bear”! She makes our family feel very secure!