"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." -- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
There might not be a Bible verse that describes a mother's heart better. For Mother's Day, we asked some local folks what their mothers taught them about love, light and faith. Here are their answers.
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Rose Lawrence
Springdale
My mother (Willa Fouty) is 95, and what I've learned from her is that her love is never ending, forgive those who have wronged you, life is too short to hold grudges, live life to the fullest and always love one another. God is there for all our worries and needs; pray to him for his guidance and strength.
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Katherine Forbes
Rogers
My mom, Phyllis, taught me the comfort of a mother's hug, importance of laughter, music, dancing, every I love you, faith in God and those you love. (Her mama died when Katherine was 19 and her mom was only 52.)
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Ashley Cohea
Springdale
My mother always me that Jesus wasn't just in the church. He is all around us in the green grass and the blue skies and tall trees. If things get rough, she will still take off her shoes and go find a patch of grass to put her bare feet in while she prays. I have always loved that about her, and it's something I hope to pass on to my own child.
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Wendy Bolinger Wiggins
Huntsville
The spiritual leaders in my life were always women, from my grandmothers to my mother. They were the ones who taught me about having faith.
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Lisa Auten
Bentonville
My mother instilled in me the love of music. She is a great example for me to follow in sharing that love by collaborating with others and forming a community to make a difference in people's lives through music.
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Erin Rowe
Bella Vista
Mom taught me the power of prayer is greater than my assessment of my circumstances. If God created the universe, He can handle my stuff!
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Missy Speer Gipson
Fayetteville
If you work at it, you can do it.
A homemade quilt and a warm meal calm most worries.
You can always come home.
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Peggy Hill
Eureka Springs
My mom passed away Oct. 29, 2018. On that day I lost my best friend. She was a light, the sun, the moon reflecting. Her love let me see God. I am her breath and life.
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Lynn Bennett Berry
Eureka Springs
Mother taught her nine children to always think of others first -- that it would make you feel good about yourself.
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Zeek Taylor
Eureka Springs
My mother, a "back pew" Methodist, lived a non-judgmental life and taught me living right should not be out of fear, but based in love.
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Rebecca Harrison
Fayetteville
What did Betty Harrison teach me about love/light/religion? As a child I must have heard "do unto others as you'd have done to you" a million times. Also, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"! She was such a good momma, and I remember when I was a child, I felt so loved and so lucky to have her as my momma.
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Lisa Hergert-Turpin
Bella Vista
Mom (Barbara Kellenbarger) instilled a deep passion for music, art, nature, love of family and personal accountability. She would move heaven for her children.
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Brandon Hamilton
Fayetteville
Someone once accused me of defending everyone. My mom (Linda Hamilton of Elkins) taught me how to love people. Sometimes, that requires giving them the benefit of the doubt.
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David Hamilton
Bella Vista
My mom taught me that love is unconditional and the truth, no matter how hard to tell, hurts less than a lie.
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Morgan Simmons
Rogers
My mother (Teresa Hufford) taught me the "Golden Rule" -- amongst many other things: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Matthew 7:12.
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Lisa Kelley
Bentonville
My mama taught me how to pray. She claimed most men won't listen to you prattle on, but Jesus wasn't most men.
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Brenda Bernet
Fort Worth
An early memory of mine is a piece of art my mother created. It was a framed picture of a rainbow with the lyrics of "It is well with my soul." The song talks about having an ever-present joy that comes from knowing God's plan is always better. Church was a second home, and the people were like extended family. I remember going with my mom to visit women who could no longer attend church. My mom didn't want anyone to be alone on holidays and offered a place at our table to them. We became family to others who were not related by blood, but by Jesus.
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Patricia Relph
Fayetteville
My mother, Rita Relph, quoted Willa Cather and Sitting Bull instead of Saint Paul. She lived her life with grace, steadfast love, patience and faithfulness. She suffered a massive stroke last Mother's Day. I will go visit my dad this Mother's Day.
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Anna Knight
Fayetteville
My mother taught me to be kind and to always think of others. She inspires my sister and I with her faith and charitable heart.
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Jessica Fisher
Van Buren
When I was a little my mom taught me what beautiful meant: to always show love and kindness no matter what, and beauty would appear.
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Becca Martin-Brown
Bella Vista
My mother-in-law taught me about unconditional love when she stood up from my couch, her nice black dress slacks covered in cat hair, and remarked on how sweet the cat was.
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Jennifer Stallbaumer
Rogers
My mom was a single mom. She taught me to always turn off the lights or "So help me, God, Jennifer, if I catch you..."
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Sara Parnell
Bella Vista
Mommy lovingly convinced the rain
soaked amputee to get inside our station
wagon with her five daughters. He'd
always refused, but it was particularly cold.
NAN Religion on 05/11/2019