A Mother's Gift

As I was growing up, my parents worked very hard to make sure we had all that we needed - and also wanted - as most parents do; a comfortable home, food on the table and clothes on our back. Then there were the gifts and things that we wanted and asked for and also received; such as dolls, toys, designers jeans and all the material things that children long for as they’re growing up.

These were all good and well, but the most profound gift that I received from my mother growing up was not something I asked for but something she gave to me from a pure and passionate heart, and that was the gift of helping me to see the beauty in nature and in all living things.

I don’t think a day would go by - no matter how busy our lives would get -that my mother wouldn’t point out something very simple, yet extraordinary, in nature and in our surroundings; or even just through her own random acts of kindness to plants and animals, showing me that I should always stop… listen; see and feel the amazing connection that we all have to this extraordinary planet and everything and body in it.

By giving me this gift, my Mother led me to the “Kingdom of Heaven,” for the Kingdom of Heaven is not out there somewhere after we die, it’s in the butterfly that has reached its full potential sucking the nectar out of a tall brilliantly colored Zinnia. And although that butterfly only has a week or two to live here in this realm/Kingdom, it knows its journey is not over, it flutters on by, happily, because it knows its Source and has no fear. The Kingdom is truly within us when we can look and see the brilliance of the tall, ancient oak tree hovering over the many other beautiful trees surrounding it and hearing the happy chatter of the birds making their nests within it and the horse and her foal taking comfort in its shade, realizing what a magnificent gift that tree truly is.

Think about this and read Matthew 13:11: “The Knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven has been given to you.

Our children should be guided to this Kingdom every single day, especially in today’s world where they are inundated with computer games, Xboxes, WIIs, cartoons, television and the like. All these things are not a bad thing, it‘s part of the technological global evolution in which we are in and further headed, but in order to know and truly find the Kingdom, we can’t forget, every single day, to point out the sound of the birds singing to us at the breakfast table, the beauty and intricate details of a passion flower, the brilliance of a sunset, the smell of a rose and the smile of an innocent baby that fills your heart with joy - this is the way to lead our children to their Source and to the Kingdom.

If our children can receive this gift, as they grow older and troubles abound, they can rest in the knowledge that “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” Always; that all they have to do is sit under the wise, old oak tree or take refuge below a magnificent waterfall and just listen and hear their Source, for that is where the Wisdom Power is sure to manifest - Listening to Your Source, The Universe, or God - whatever term you feel more comfortable with.

I believe most of us can truly see the beauty in nature, but do we ourselves each and every Single day STOP to smell a flower, follow a butterfly down a path; watch a sunrise or sunset, stop at the side of the road to give a horse a carrot or a pat, watch a planted seed grow, gaze at the beauty of the unique green in the cypress trees after a long winter? If not, how then can we lead our children to the Kingdom of Heaven? For first we must take the plank out of our own eyes before we can take the speck from our children’s eyes.

So make sure you share this with your children as often as you can, not just on a vacation or weekend or a special time put aside, but at breakfast, teach them to listen to the birds; on the way to school, point out to the amazing bell flowers blooming; and before bed, take a peek at the moon together and gaze at the stars. It doesn’t matter whether they’re 5 years old or 50 years old, a grandchild or great grandchild, help them stay with their Source and in the Kingdom in any way you can without preaching. Why, you can do this even on the phone, just mention a beautiful sight in nature that you witnessed. There’s no need for preaching , they feel their Source within them, just show them the way through your own deeds and actions and insights and their Source will never leave.

In closing this article, I want to thank my mother from the bottom of my heart for giving me eyes to see and ears to hear. I liken my mother to Jesus, just as he did not preach to the people but gave them parables, without ever a word of preaching, my mother showed me and led me to my Source which has helped to keep me in each present moment of every single day and I hope to pass that gift to my children as well -- Oh, and thanks for the Jordache jeans back in the ‘80s, they were nice too.