Happy Birthday, Mom!

I always feel like my mom gets the shaft because Mother’s Day and her birthday are so close together. I love birthdays (even my own)! I love to celebrate the person who God created in His own image. I hate that COVID-19 is keeping many of us from our loved ones!

My mom is a woman of patience, grace and mercy. I fall SO short of the example she set before me. My mom is quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. My mom loves Jesus and is one of the most obedient people I know. In every situation my mom asks, “What is it that the Lord my God requires of me?”

I have NOT always been close with my mom or Jesus. For ten years (and possibly multiple times a day) I told my mom I hated her, until the one day I thought she was actually going to die. That freaked me out. I learned a valuable lesson on not taking people for granted. My attitude toward my mom did not change over night but it did soften.

One of the best bonding experiences occurred in June 2000 (wow, 20 years, time waits for NO one!). My mom took me on a riverboat cruise of the Loire Valley, France for my Graduation trip. Folks, we were the only two people on this cruise! There were more crew than guests! God is good because we each had our own room, otherwise I do not know how our bodies and our luggage would have fit in that tiny cabin!

Since that time my mom and I have had MANY more bonding experiences and many more trips to France. My mom has ALWAYS dealt fairly with me. From an early age my mom taught me that life is not fair! My mom always let the punishment fit the crime! When my brother and I were young if we went out for dinner and we misbehaved, my mom would make us practice sitting at the dinner table. Seriously, this is no joke we had to practice sitting and talking at the table. It was a minimum of 15 min and if we misbehaved she added time. Let me tell you, this is genius! It worked! It got to the point when my mom would say, “do you want to practice sitting at the table?” we knew to stop our misbehavior!

My mom was and is a woman of principle and conviction. We always knew where we stood with her and what she believed. My mom is one of the funniest people I know. I am similar to my mom in a lot of ways. My dad got me a wood sign that says, “Sometimes when I open my mouth my mother comes out!” I take that as a compliment!

When I was younger I had this great idea that I was going to be taller than my mom and that I would look down on her. Well, God truly has a sense of humor and knows what He is doing. I am 5ft tall and I am still looking up to my mom, literally and figuratively.

Mom, it is an honor and a privilege to be your daughter. I am thankful that not only are you my mom, but you are my best friend. I love you. I value you. You are the most beautiful person I know inside and out. Happy Birthday!

Father God, even in this time of COVID-19 may we not stop celebrating those who are created in Your image. May we look for new and creative ways to express our love and appreciation for those whom we are not with physically. Thank You Lord that for those in Christ there will be a day when no sin, disease, sickness and death separate us from Yourself and from others. Lord God, thank You for my mom. Thank You for her heart for You. May this reader thank You for those who have impacted their journey in the faith. Lord God, lead us and guide us today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Blue Collar Theologian

My name is Mandy Sweigart-Quinn, I live in Lancaster, PA and I am a “Blue Collar Theologian.” I love Jesus! I am passionate about His Word (The Holy Bible)! I come alive when I can encourage others in their walk with Jesus (whether by writing or speaking). As a “Blue Collar Theologian” it is my aim to live/practice/work out my Christian hope with sincerity, authenticity and genuineness. As a “Blue Collar Theologian,” I strive to meet people right where they are (“Incarnational Theology”). I graduated in May 2019 from Capital Seminary and Graduate School with a Master's in Biblical Studies. I am a passionate, excited and enthusiastic person! I love flowers, sports and sunsets. Since January 2, 2018 I have had the privilege of being married to Nathan.

47 thoughts on “Happy Birthday, Mom!”

  3. This is a priceless testimony of your mom, Mandy! You should have a hard copy of this and place in one of your albums. I surmised, your mom, indeed is continuously lead by the HOLY SPIRIT. So are you! Happy birthday to your mom! GOD bless you and your family always!

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    1. Hi, Alan! I am so thankful for your love and support! I am thankful that we have Godly moms of substance as well! Great statement! Love and blessings! When the DMV opens in PA that is one of the first places I need to go, I will think of you!!! Hope it wasn’t an awful experience for you!!!!

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      1. That’s funny. I went there this morning at 7am to get in line for their 7:30am opening, only to find out the website was wrong. They open at 8am, but….all DMV offices are still closed down here! In Texas we have started opening up, but not the DMV. Arg. Lots of incorrect info on the website. I guess I will renew my DL whenever they reopen….whenever that will be. And I got all dolled-up for the pic too. Lol

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      1. We are all fine, Mandy, thank GOD! Thanking Jim for his prayers too. The storm is heading north west and will be out soon. This is the first one for 2020 and its local name starts with an “A” for Ambo (internationally as Vongfong). Usually, Typhoon season is May to December.

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      2. Thank you for informing me!!!! I am glad to hear you are all doing well, praise God!!!! I will not forget that Typhoon season is May to December I do not know what I was thinking! Thank you again!!!!!!

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  8. Awwww, this is so touching. What a wonderful tribute to your mom. I love your dad’s sign, “Sometimes when I open my mouth my mother comes out!”

    Happpppppy Birthday Mandy’s Mom! 💐💐

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  10. Mandy, I like your mom a lot, just from your description of her. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your “Mom” story and how God worked in your heart in relation to her. That is precious!! I am a mom of 4, but I only have one daughter, and that relationship is special. Oh, I love my sons, too, but the mother-daughter relationship is different. I am glad that you have that special relationship with your mom. ❤

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    1. Hi, Sue! The Lord knew I needed encouragement and He has used YOU, Sue, to encourage me, praise God! I love my mom! I told Nathan when we met that I LOVE my mom. I am loyal to my mom and I am highly committed to my mom and if that is a problem then I may not be the right person for him! Nathan has said my commitment and love for my mom is one of the things that he loves the most about me. I am SO happy to hear about your relationship with your daughter. My mom and I are as close as we are because we were tried by fire. My mom and I pray that our story can encourage and give hope to others. Love you Sue, keep writing, singing and shining for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!

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  13. Response to your last comment on my blog: No plan yet for Memorial Day tomorrow. I think this year I’m going to go at a slower pace with things and explain to my girls what its all about with Memorial Day; how about yourself, any plans?

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    1. Hey, Jim! Glad to hear y’all are in close proximity, what a blessing! I miss my mom more and more each day. God willing I will see my mama in the next month or so I am gonna cry and give her the longest biggest hug EVER. As for Nathan, his parents live in Illinois. I am hoping either we will visit them or they will visit us when things calm down. All of this is teaching/reinforcing the importance of family/relationships. Love and blessings to you and your family!

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  16. Nice writing. What a nice bonding with you and your mother. You make me laugh “you are still looking up to your mother” (you are very tall) Our moms know how to live a life of example to help convict us to righteousness.

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    1. Hi, Maurice! Thank you for reading and for your encouragement! I love and agree with “our moms know how to live a life of example to help convict us to righteousness.” If people were to say I was half as good as my mama I would be pleased!! I am glad for the relationship you have with your mom too!! Thank you again for your time!!

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      1. My mom is a firm person and never ease up on me. She is a woman of faith and even to this very hour standing in faith in difficult situations. I believe the greatest joy she have is me giving my life to the Lord

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