“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15

When most people are asked who they want to be like, they respond with the name of a famous celebrity or some rich mogul. Not me, when I think about who I want to be like, I think about my mother. I want to be like her.

I know that Christ is our perfect example, and we strive to be like him, but my mother leaves me with a lifetime of worthy notation. My mother was called home on March 28, 2008, and while the pain is still so very fresh, I find comfort in knowing she's reached her destination.

Everybody thinks that their own mother is special, and I'm no different, but Momma was different. The Bible refers to her as "peculiar" in 1 Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation; a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people…"

She had this amazing ability to love. We all say that we love people, but Momma lived it. She loved everybody the same. She saw people through Christ's eyes. So, there weren't any special picks and chooses.

If you were hungry (and sometimes when you weren't), she fed you. If you needed, she gave. If you were sick, she visited. If your house needed cleaning, and you weren't able, she cleaned.

She loved. I want to love like that. One thing that makes her so extraordinary is the fact that she's a First Lady. Many pastors' wives are served, but she flipped the script, and served others. That's true ministry.

My mom was humble. She didn't allow her position to change her. She didn't walk around as if the world owed her anything. She was genuinely humble. She smiled and was friendly to people who probably deserved a good tongue lashing. She hugged people and told them that she loved them. She was beautiful, but she never praised herself. She praised others, and replied with "Glory to God" when someone praised her. She was strong and meek. She had a strong spirit. I want to be humble and strong like that.

I could go on and on telling about the Godly attributes that my mother possessed, but space won't allow me to tell it all. However, I do want to share her life's message, "Holiness or Hell."

The Bible instructs us to be holy as God is, and those are the words my mother lived by. She knew that one day she would be called home, and regardless of what she was doing at the time, that's one call that had to be answered.

I was with Momma when she passed, talking to her as I've done countless of times, but she suddenly stopped responding. Now, I realize that she couldn't hold two conversations at one time. She stopped answering me to answer Him. The pain is tangible, the tears come without notice, but I believe she's where we all hope to be one day.

In closing, as I pay tribute to my mother during this Mother's Day season, Iwant to pass on some of my mother's wisdom, "Prepare yourself for the call."

As one of my greatest teachers, even beyond the grave, my mother's still teaching me. The most valuable lesson is, "Life is uncertain, but death is so very certain."

My mom always said, "You can get life insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, but in all your getting, you better get some soul insurance."