Mother’s Day brings back happy memories of celebrating the gift that God has given us in our mom and also having a day to express our appreciation of her love and dedication. As the middle child of five, I happily recall joyous trips to our local greenhouse to select a special gift for my mom. Our mom is a lover of beautiful flowers, peonies are a favorite. I remember the year we bought her a tree peony with deep pink blossoms…it was gorgeous, and she was thrilled. She tended it with care for many years and it did not disappoint. There were other peonies, shades of pink, doubles and extra ruffles, there were hanging baskets that flowered all summer long, and lovely houseplants that kept our childhood home beautiful like a little piece of heaven. All the beautiful flowers in the world could never express that love and gratitude we have for mom.
Just the word mom…when I think about what mom means to me, all sorts of thoughts come tumbling through my mind…homemade crackers and a warm pot of chili on a cold winters day set on a table surrounded by the laughter of my siblings and parents, hearing mom read stories in the evenings until her voice gave out while we munched popcorn and frozen sweet cherries, playing games together, trips to town to get parts for my dad…laughing hysterically at mom’s crazy antics…have you ever rolled up a window, thinking you rolled it down and crammed your face into it when trying to yell out the window??? Oh mom! Only you! Oh we’ve laughed together and we’ve cried together…moms are there for you no matter what is happening, the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, and the projects we have accomplished together.
Oh, what a gift God gave us in godly mother’s whose counsel is true to the Word of God and whose love is deep and unconditional! “The king upon his throne has no higher work than has the mother. The mother is queen of her household. She has in her power the molding of her children’s characters, that they may be fitted for the higher, immortal life. An angel could not ask for a higher mission; for in doing this work she is doing service for God. Let her only realize the high character of her task, and it will inspire her with courage. Let her realize the worth of her work and put on the whole armor of God, that she may resist the temptation to conform to the world’s standard. Her work is for time and for eternity. “ {AH 231.3}
Often God puts other women in our life…women who may never have had the privilege of having children of their own but are mother’s just the same. Godly women who love unconditionally, whose counsel is true and right, who are there…no matter what. Let’s remember them too! Take the time this week to reflect on those who the Lord has put in your path, the mothers, grandmothers, aunties, church mothers, those special, wonderful women to whom we owe so much…what can we do to say thank you?
“Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.” – Proverbs 23:22-25
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” – Proverbs 31:28-31
