A Tribute

Hold On To Jesus - Originally recorded by Erin O'Donnell

You're a little piece of heaven.
You're a golden ray of light
and I wish I could protect you
from the worries of this life.
But if there's one thing I could tell you,
it's no matter what you do,
hold on to Jesus, He's holding onto you.

The world will try to tell you
that might is more than right,
and beauty's on the outside,
and being good's a losing fight.
But remember what I've told you
'cause the world will make you choose-
hold on to Jesus, He's holding onto you.

Hold on to Jesus and cling to His love.
Rest deep in his mercy whenever things get rough.
And don't recite of his goodness
and don't ever doubt this truth,
that when you hold onto Jesus He's holdin onto you.

Hear me dear Jesus,
rock this little one to sleep.
Keep her close when she's scared
and give her grace when she is weak.
I know she'll stumble but i know she'll make it through
if you hold on to her just like you said you'd do.
Hold her Jesus so she'll hold on tight to you.
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This song just played on my AOL Radio at work and I wanted to include the lyrics because of what they mean to me. When I left home in August 2001 to start college at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC (about an hour from my home at the time), I remember my mom and I riding in my loaded-down little '97 Saturn (which I still drive) with my dad following behind us in a loaded-down mini-van and her breaking out this cd. She played this song and bawled while I got teary-eyed but refused to break down and just cry.

Looking back on this memory, it was a life-changing event for me. Never again would I return "home" as it was those first 18 years. Never again would I see my mother in the same light I did as a child. Never again would life be as simple as it was. But as that memory flooded back to me while the song played here in my office, I realize that my mother is perhaps the best woman on the face of the earth. She knew that when it all came down to it, her relationship with me could only go so far but the relationship I have with Jesus would carry me so much further. Don't get me wrong, my mother has ALWAYS been there for me. Through broken relationships, financial crises, physical ailments, my mom has been the only constant in my life. My dad has been there too of course and his support means more than he'll ever know but there's an emotional bond that mothers and daughters share as women that is unique.

To me, my mother stands as a strong testimony to the faithfulness of God. In her life, she hasn't always been dealt the best hand and even now she struggles with what she is called to do for the Lord but she doesn't quit. She keeps persevering the best she can, sacrificing whatever it takes to do what she feels is right at the moment. For the past 4 years at least, she has been working 12-18 hours 5 days a week just to support my younger brother and I as we attended college. She and my father continue to pay my car insurance, cell phone bill and student loan payments every month and even send extra money (or at least extend the offer) whenever we need it. While my older brother was not afforded these "luxuries", I'm sure they would have done the same if he needed them to. Some might call me "spoiled" and I would agree to an extent but my parents have always been supportive and encouraging even if they were puzzled by our actions. I've never heard either of my parents tell me I can't do something I feel called to do. I've never questioned their love and I've always felt their prayers. When no one else would stand in the gap for me, I knew both of them already were. They are the epitome of God's love to me and I know that my relationship with them is just an extension of that same relationship with Him.

The relationship between me and my parents hasn't always been this way. I possess my mother's opinionated, stubborn streak and my father's perfectionism. These qualities caused great strife in my household during those early teen years. As every teenager does, I went through a "rebellious" stage from 14-16 or so dating boys they didn't like and hanging out with people that weren't the best influences. But during that time I never made life-altering bad decisions because of the principles and morals my parents had taught me. Even when I wanted to do something extremely rebellious, I knew that in my heart of hearts, I couldn't. I was more responsible than that and would have to reap the consequences of whatever choices I made. And I did-both good and bad consequences.

But as I grew and began to see that my parents really did know what they were talking about and truly did have my best interests in mind, I developed a greater respect for them. I began to see them in a different light and saw how the life experiences they had endured had made them into responsible people who love and serve the Lord in the best way they know how. And now they are my best friends. They hear all about the crazy events of my life, the deep desires and passions I have, the things God is doing in my life. We laugh together, cry together, and vent together. They are my heritage, my examples of Jesus' unconditional love. And I can't think of better people to turn into as I grow older. So to you, Mom & Dad, thank you will never be enough.