We all have profound moments that change our lives, our perspectives and our destinies. One of my most significant “life moments” came on Nov. 21, 1995 at 4:20 p.m. For the prior nine months, I had wondered what kind of mother I would be, and at what point I would not just have the title “Mom,” but would actually feel like a mom. When I gave birth to Emily and the doctor handed her to me, I felt her little hand clutch my index finger for dear life, and I felt like a mom at that very instant. I felt every bit of the reality that this little life was dependent on me for her well-being — in all aspects of her life.
Motherhood held up a very powerful mirror to who I was and who I wanted to be — for my children’s sake (we added Jeremy to the family a few years later). Was I living out the advice I was giving? Were my kids repeating uplifting, kind words or were they modeling selfish behavior? I made a smorgasbord of changes, improvements really, after becoming a mom. I listened to mostly Christian music and talk shows, I softened my sarcastic humor (it doesn’t sound good when your sarcasm echos out from a 4-year-old), I drove less aggressively (even on I-95), and I prayed, and prayed, and prayed — so much more than before.
But what has surprised me most about being a mom is how much I have learned from my kids. I watched my daughter make a bold career move, which actually encouraged me to come to PBA. I witnessed my son — now a Sailfish alumnus himself — make a concerted effort to bring “joy” to his office so he could lead others to Christ.
PBA is very much like a family, and while we focus a great deal on how we can positively influence our students, as it is with my own kids, I’m constantly surprised and touched to see how much we get to learn from them.
Photo: Jeremy, David, Laura and Emily Bishop pose for a family photo. Laura Bishop is PBA’s Executive Vice President for Advancement.
