It has been five years now since I’ve seen or heard my mother, yet I still see her face reflecting back at me in the mirror, and I hear her voice echoing in my ears.
My name is Annie Hinojos, and I have been blessed to have had a mother whose life impacted me in such a way that it is the driving force that keeps me grounded and focused on the only thing that matters…Jesus Christ.
My mother passed away in 2016, and I was compelled to write a book about her life and how it reflected Christ so well. I had a front row seat watching my mother live it out in real time. This book describes what it was like being raised by a woman who loved the Lord with all her heart, and the evidence of that love was in her actions. It wasn’t only what she said to us children, it is what she did that made the difference.
I grew up in a small town of Barstow, California. My parents had seven children, and I was the sixth in the lineup. Five girls and two boys who each brought their challenges to the mix. Then add two grandmothers to care for in their elder years, and life can get complicated. Yet, there was one stabilizing force within our home that made it a safe and loving place. That foundational force was God, and my mother chose to live out her life demonstrating how important God is to a family. It was amazing to watch!
I graduated from Barstow High School in 1979, went on to college in Riverside at La Sierra University, and obtained my bachelor’s degree in Education. I then went to work in El Centro, California, not really knowing what I was getting myself into. I had no experience, yet there I was teaching grades 1-8 in a one-room school. After three years, I decided to continue my education while still teaching during the day. I earned my master’s degree in counseling, and since I loved school so much, I went on to earn an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology. It’s been a long road, but God has directed my path, and I couldn’t be happier with where He has led me.
My parents were completely against me going to college. They believed girls did not need higher education but rather should focus on becoming homemakers. Although it tore at my heart to go against their wishes, I had to make my dreams come true. With each degree I earned, my precious parents were there to cheer me on. They shared how proud they were of me and that was all I needed to hear.
At the age of 24, I was to be married; however, one week before the wedding day, my fiancé disappeared. I could not find him anywhere. A couple of weeks after the scheduled wedding day, he called me to ask for forgiveness. He then admitted that my relationship with the Lord was too much for his family, and he could not marry me. It emotionally shattered me into a million pieces. God knew exactly what He was doing, although I had no clue. I learned many years later He was orchestrating something much better for my life.
It took me about 17 years of waiting before God blessed me with the man He intended for me. I tried everything to find him myself, yet that approach never works for any of us. I’ve learned that putting ALL things in God’s hands is the best place to find any answer to problems we encounter in this world.
At the age of 40, I met Peter, who had lost his wife to cancer. This left him to raise three young boys on his own. Brandon was the oldest and was 11, Jordan, the middle son was 9, and Noah the youngest was 6. I’ve always loved being around children as I love to play and simply enjoy life. Waiting on God was the best decision I have ever made, as He blessed me immensely with the man of my dreams.
I was 41 when we married, and we have now been together 19 years. Our boys are grown men, and we have one granddaughter named Kadence. She is the joy of my life!
The way I observed my mother’s patience when nothing but chaos was all around, her love for everyone no matter who they were, the sacrifices she made, the forgiveness she extended to those who hurt her, her sense of humor that brought joy into our home were living examples which helped me transition from my long single life to one of being a wife and mother to three boys.
In my book, I Caught A Glimpse of Jesus-The Power of a Life Lived for Christ, I share stories of what it was like living in a home with such an amazing Godly woman as my mother. Stories that may make you cry and laugh.
All seven of us children know and have accepted the Lord as our personal Savior. How does that happen? It happens when Christ truly lives in the heart of a person. It is not about what WE do, it is what CHRIST does that makes the difference. A life without God’s Holy Spirit is lacking in truth and light. God tells us in John 8:12, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’”
I walk on the path that Jesus Christ has set out for me, leaning on Him for my wisdom and strength for each day. As my mother would often tell us, “I don’t have time to worry, I need to finish washing these dishes!” She lived for the day, as that was all that she was given, and she wouldn’t be robbed of the joy God gave her in the moment.
I am now 60 years old, and I recently retired after 30 years as a school psychologist at San Bernardino City Unified School District in San Bernardino, California. After all the years of study and hard work to earn my degrees, I still honestly believe that my mother’s wisdom from God can’t hold a candle to any worldly education. There is something to say about a simple life lived out for God that impacts our world. And, our world is our family, our friends, and our loved ones.
People may say life is hard, but I hear the words of my mother, “Life is as hard as you make it.” It is our perspective. It is my desire to inspire you to live a powerful simple life that brings others to know Christ through how you live. Each and every day is a new opportunity to show mercy, forgiveness, love, patience, and compassion for the person right in front of you. Be inspired today. Hopefully the reflection we all see in the mirror resembles Jesus Christ.
God bless you always!
For a copy of Annie’s book, click here.
Comments 1
Thank you so very much Jennifer for sharing my book. I am truly grateful and humbled. It is my prayer that those who read it will be inspired to live a life that reflects Christ so well that others may “catch a glimpse of Jesus”!