On Mother’s Day we spend the day being thankful for our mamas. We try to spoil them to show our gratitude for all their hard work. Mamas come to church with bellies full of slightly burnt toast and runny eggs that accompanied flowers in a vase at their bedside. They leave church sporting fruit loop and dyed noodle necklaces or handprint flower pots. Kiddos try so hard to not get their clothes dirty… at least until after church. Many mamas see this day as a day just for them, finally a break from the daily monotony. Often, they want to spend the day on their own doing whatever they want to do.
But this day is really time to step back and savor all the reasons we have to be thankful as mothers. There are many women in our lives (some we don’t even know about) who long to have children and to have the opportunity to disciple and mentor those given to them by God as their own children, biological or adopted.
This would be a good day to sit with a journal and write down as many reasons as you can think of that you are grateful for in being a mama. This could be a Thank You note to God for this life. You can write down the difficulties as well as the easy parts of being a mama. Don’t forget your husband and all he does to empower you to be the mama you are. If you are a single mama, thank God for the strength to do all He’s given you to do!
Mother’s Day is also a great time to evaluate the different aspects of being a mama – discipleship, home making, organizing and planning, meal planning and preparation, empowering and supporting, and all the other things we do. Let’s take a moment to make a plan to grow in one of those areas this year. Start with choosing a goal, then making some action steps you could take to achieve that goal.
And do bask in the special attention your family will shine on you this Mother’s Day. Enjoy the time and effort they will spend to say thank you to you for all you have done and will do to show your love for them, even if their special attention is just to say, “Happy Mother’s Day.” That’s enough to be thankful for right there!
“So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.” Proverbs 23:25
What is the area of motherhood you are choosing to grow in this year?
