Tribute to Mom

When I was in about the 7th grade, I had a conversation with my Mom that went something like this: “Mom, I want to go to the University of Southern California”. She responded, “Why do you want to go there?” I said, “I wanna play football for them”. “Why USC? she said. I said, “I like the red and gold colors… I like the Trojan riding around on a horse.” “What about the academics? she says. “I suppose you have to go to class to play ball.” “Would you want to go there even if you didn’t make the football team?” “I guess so. But what’s the point of going to college if you can’t play football?”

“Education, dummy.”

What’s so amazing about this conversation is that USC was completely out of my league. Not just athletically, but more importantly, financially. My family was “po” (that’s “poor” without the “or”.) But when you’re in the 7th grade, you tend to think really big.

Now here’s the really memorable part of the conversation. “Paul Jon, you can do anything you put your mind to. And if by chance you don’t get a full-ride football scholarship, I’ll wash floors at night to pay for you to go there, if that’s what you really want to do.”

My Mom was already working a 40 hour a week office job and raising 5 kids (and have I ever mentioned that 1 of those 5 was “a hand full”?). But she meant it when she said she would do whatever she could to fulfill my dreams.

I think that’s what Godly mothers do: They tell you to dream big. They encourage you to put your mind to it. And you have the idea that she’s there behind you all the while.

Thanks, Mom.

Happy Mothers Day to all Moms.
Pastor Paul