By Marlene Bertrand

There are some people who leave a mark on your heart that time cannot erase. For me, that person was my mother.

While she’s no longer with us, the wisdom she passed on continues to guide me, and it has the power to guide others as well. Her lessons weren’t grand lectures or complicated philosophies. They were simple, deeply rooted truths that touched every part of life.

Here are the three life lessons my mom taught me, lessons built on love, forgiveness, and grace.

Lesson 1: Love Without Limits

My mother was the very definition of love in motion.

When you looked at her, you saw love.
When you talked with her, you heard love.
And when she said, “I love you,” it wasn’t just words; it was a feeling that wrapped around you like music for the soul.

She believed that love should be unconditional and freely given.

“Love is love,” she’d say.
“If you’re not loving with your whole heart, without expecting anything in return, then you’re not really loving.”

She took her cue from Scripture and lived these words daily:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:34–35 (NIV)

Her life was a living example of Jesus’ most excellent command.

Lesson 2: Forgive as an Act of Love

To my mother, forgiveness wasn’t a sign of weakness; it was a strength born from love.

She often told me:

“When you love, you forgive. And when you forgive, you love.”

Forgiveness was woven into everything she did. She understood that no one is perfect, and that to love people genuinely, you have to be willing to let go of their wrongs.

She reminded me of this truth often:

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
— Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV)

Her grace was quiet but powerful. And because of her, I strive to walk in forgiveness every day.

Lesson 3: Judge Less, Love More

“Don’t waste time judging others,” Mom would say.

“Focus on your own walk. You’re not perfect either.”

She taught me to be self-reflective rather than critical. And whenever I felt justified in calling someone out, she would gently nudge me back to humility with her favorite reminder:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
— Matthew 7:1 (NIV)

And then, she’d follow it with:

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
— Matthew 7:5 (NIV)

Mom always emphasized personal accountability over finger-pointing.

“Unless you’re perfect,” she’d say,
“You have no business throwing stones.”

“…Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
— John 8:7 (NIV)

Her words shaped my heart and the way I treat others.

A Legacy of Love That Lives On

I miss my mother more than words can say. But I am so grateful for the legacy she left behind.

Her lessons were never forced; they were lived. And they continue to inspire me to love more deeply, forgive more quickly, and judge less.

If there’s one thing my mother would want you to remember, it’s this:

Everything, absolutely everything, comes back to love.

What life lessons did your mother or mentor teach you?

Share them in the comments below. I’d love to hear your stories.

If this message touched you, please feel free to share it with someone who needs a little light today.