9 children and 19 (almost 20) years into our marriage, you still truly amaze me at the woman and Mommy that you are, Franicia. How do you find time and energy to love and worship God, love your fellow man, love me, and love and teach our children in a way that causes people to wonder and want to know more about the God that you serve? 

Love is Patient

One of my very favorite things about you as a mommy is your patience with which you teach our children. You and I are not just raising children — ultimately, we are raising our children to be responsible, productive, and, hopefully, God-fearing adults. In doing so, I see you patiently teaching our children (often over-and-over) what those things mean and what it looks like. So often, people will remark at how well-behaved our children are. That’s not an accident, and it doesn’t just happen. They’re delightful largely because of the way that you patiently and lovingly pour out yourself into their lives from the very beginning — even when they’re still in the womb. 

Celebrate Motherhood

I celebrate you, Franicia; my mom, Yvonne; and your mom, Anicia, today as well as the other mommies in our life. I hope also to be the kind of man that celebrates motherhood all of the time. It seems to me that motherhood has been under attack for a while. So many mothers feel like being a great mother isn’t good enough. If I understand correctly, so many mothers feel like they have to do something else in order to live a life that is praiseworthy. 

Praising Excellent Mothers

Doing other things as a mother or a woman for that matter isn’t bad. Whether a man or a woman, diligence, productivity, excellence, etc. in and out of the home are all great and have their place. But, if motherhood is something that a woman has the opportunity to do, being a wonderful, excellent mother is truly praiseworthy. Period. Full stop. Nothing extra is needed. Being a great mother (if it’s anything like being a great father) is not an easy task. If it’s anything like being a father, being a great mother seems like it’s something that you never achieve even if you keep striving for it.

A Living Sacrifice

I’m glad, though, that you, Franicia, strive to be a great mother. I know that you will always strive to be a great mother. You do this not because you want the praise of others but because you love your children — truly love them — and you love God. As Paul wrote in Romans 12:1, you really do see your service as a mother as presenting yourself as a living sacrifice to God. I bless you today for this. I bless you for loving our children sacrificially. 

Franicia, You Bless Us!

I know that our children are blessed because of and through you. I am blessed because of and through you too, and you make me want to be a better man, a better father, and a better person. You truly encourage me through the way that you live your life, through the way that you love God, and through the way that you love others (our children included). 

I celebrate you, Franicia, and praise God for you today…and every day. Thank you for being an excellent mommy to the glory of God!

Soli Deo Gloria!