Meet Rodney and Renee Martin. This past week they celebrated their birthdays so I wanted to spend some time introducing them and honoring the incredible parents that they are.
Starting with my sweet mama, Susan Renee Martin. What an incredible woman she is. I could go on all day about her, but here are just a few of my favorite things about her. She loves Jesus harder than anyone I know. She strives to look more like him everyday and it’s obvious in the way that she loves people. It’s impossible to meet her and not feel loved by her. She teaches me more and more about what it looks like to show Jesus even in the little ways. Like paying for people behind her in the drive-through. Like smiling at everyone she sees even if she’s not in the mood. Like texting people just to remind them that they are loved. Like making me coffee and breakfast every morning. And on and on and on. She never fails to care for others needs before herself. Even if she has a million things going on during her week she will create the time to make you some coffee and sit and listen to every single one of your struggles. Since I’ve been on the race a lot of my friends have gone to see her and spend time with her which is just a testimony of how she loves. To her it’s about every person she encounters, they are always worth her time, because they are worth Jesus’s time. She is beautiful inside and out and I am forever lucky to love, and be loved by a mom like her. I think about how Jesus looks down on her and is probably so insanely proud he just can’t stop smiling because she can’t either. If you ever get the chance, you have to meet my lil mama. You will be missing out big time if you don’t, I promise.
And now. Rodney Alvin Martin. When you meet my dad you immediately know he is going to take care of you no matter what your need is. From digging peoples cars out of the snow all winter long to starting mine in the morning before school so it’s warm when I’m ready to leave. He will probably create a nickname for you because he won’t be able to remember your actual name so just laugh and accept it. He is always willing to talk. But he’s also one of the best listeners ever. He will always greet you in a way that you know he is happy to see you and spend time with you. He’s the best soccer coach/trainer in the world. My senior season was one of my favorites because after the really good games we would sit and strategize together, probably over a meal from KFC. He would always teach me what I could’ve done differently in the game, but would also celebrate with me in the little victories. He has taught me a lot more than just soccer though. He has taught me how to live a life that reflects Jesus. He has taught me how to be a woman who carries herself in a way that shows Jesus just through the way I do daily life. He has taught me how fun life with Jesus can actually be. This past June his mom passed away and through that he taught me how to feel hurt but also how to find my strength in the Lord by knowing that through death there is ultimate healing. He is my best friend and always will be. If you ever get the chance to meet my sweet dad you will for sure laugh a lot, you will feel overwhelmingly loved, and you will definitely see Jesus just bursting right out of him. He is obviously worth meeting, no doubt about it.
I know God blessed me so big when he gave these parents to me and I am truly grateful for them. I have learned so much about who I am through the way they taught me about Jesus and that is something I could never take for granted. Their support. Encouragement. Abundant love. And constant Prayers have helped me to be where I am today and I am so evidently lucky.
I wish you two the biggest happy birthdays and I am praying for you and missing you always. Never stop fighting to show Jesus to people in the unique ways you do, they need your incredible coffee and silly nicknames. I love you forever and ever.
