Memories run rampant this time of year. Many take on the persona of my mom from long ago when we celebrated her on Mother’s Day. Or the memories reflect those who love this day and celebrate happily and those who don’t. I know people who fall into all of these categories and I imagine you do as well.
I thought I would take the time today to share parts of several Mother’s Day posts I wrote in previous years. Sometimes, as a mom, all I wanted to hear from my sons were the words “thank you.” Other times, memories popped up of my sweet momma and all I could think of was how much you never stop needing your mom. Emotions run high and low on this day as we set aside time to celebrate our moms and those women who have made a difference in our lives.
Just Say “Thank You”
There is nothing like a “thank you.” Whether the words are spoken or written, this simple acknowledgment goes a long way in making my day. The first time I heard the words “thank you” from my sons left me speechless. The sweet blessing of knowing that I was doing something right boosted my confidence. I am learning there are no better words than when another person takes time to recognize the good in you.
God’s truth says you are worthy of celebration. He inscribed your name on the palm of His hand and chose you because He loves you (Isaiah 49:16).
God promises He will never forget you. Your name is engraved on the palm of His Hands. God knows you better than you know yourself. He doesn’t look at the titles you have chosen for yourself. You are known and celebrated by God. Today I celebrate you and all those you have touched just because of who you are. I thank God that even when you are not sure if you make a difference, He knows you do. Mother’s Day is a day to remember, reflect, and thank those who have crossed our paths and made a difference. It’s a chance for you to pause to recognize that who you are is a gift to God and all those who know you.
Have You Ever
I lost my mom in January of 2014. It’s hard to believe that six years have passed without my mom. In May of 2014, I celebrated my first Mother’s Day without my mom. As I wrote down words that reflected the love of my own mom, I also wanted all women to know the blessing they are to others, whether they have the official title of mom or not. We all have memories. May these questions lead you to reflect on those women who have influenced you throughout your life.
Have you ever stopped suddenly and looked twice at the person walking beside you? Your second glance provided a picture of a beautiful person on the outside–well put together–glowing with beauty and confidence. Is that your mom?
Have you ever had a conversation with a person and intuitively knew that this person was listening even if her gaze was scanning the room checking on every other detail? That is a mom!
Has the example of a life well-lived shaped you into the person you are today? The lessons of comfort, grace, and courage were shaped, modeled, and lived out daily by a mom (maybe, a spiritual mom)-–your mom and my mom!
Have you ever met someone who knew how to love unconditionally? In a mother’s love, we see a reminder of God’s perfect love. Do you know a woman who loves like this?
Final Thoughts
One of the biggest life lessons instilled in me as another Mother’s Day has passed is that you never stop needing your mom. For those who still have the gift of calling your mom treasure the blessing and remember, even if not all memories are your favorite, God blesses all moms. Motherhood is hard and somedays we get it right and other times we make a mess of things.
If you are the person who craves one more phone call with your mom, take time to remember how you laughed together, held each other close, and hung on her every word. Time and the love of God have a way of sifting some of the challenging memories into something more palatable. No one is perfect but the love of God is!
Remember that in the storms of life you never stop needing your mom.
Father God – I thank you for the gift of all mothers and fathers–spiritual, biological, and all those who work to build into the lives of others. You promise to never forget us and for this I am grateful. On the days, I am not sure I am making a difference, you see all that I can’t see happening. When I struggle to remember that all it takes is one “thank you”, may I know you believe in who I am. May all those who love others well feel celebrated today and every day. You are a gracious and loving God. Amen.
Mother's Day has come and gone but the memories continue. Join me for some reflections on moms and those women who have made a difference in your life. #Newpost #TellHisStory #linkup Share on XHere’s to all the life-givers and nurturers!
** Just a heads up, I inserted some links from my early years of writing. The message remains the same, but I think you will notice a difference in the quality of writing. 😉
Here are a few Mother’s Day posts I found that speak volumes about the worth of all women.
Hope for Moms and Daughters in Every Season by Lois Flowers
Our Mother’s Stories by Pam Ecrement
Wishing a Refreshing Mother’s Day to You! by Michele Morin
And these words by Shannan Martin that she posted on Facebook to honor women on Mother’s Day.
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
I lost my second mom in November, my aunt. I miss how we talked to each other, how we could just sit together and not really talk, but just be. God gives us different kinds of moms biological, spiritual, mothering moms – sometimes it takes all those kinds of moms for various reasons. Happy Mother’s Day Mary!
What a legacy to have “two” moms. I am blessed to have had women in my life who shaped who I am today. Blessings to you, Maryleigh!
Beautiful. I am so grateful that I was raised by mom. And grateful that I get to mother my 3. And grateful for two sisters who help me mother mine. And grateful for friends who lead the way when I have no idea how to mother.
You have quite a legacy. It is such a gift to have a mom and sisters to walk alongside you in this journey of mothering. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Thanks for sharing these reflections on mothers, Mary. My own mom is changing and aging, which makes me wonder for how many years I will still have her. Thanks for reminding me to treasure this time.
It is so good to see you, Betsy! It is hard to watch our parents as they get older. For me, it seemed that things changed very quickly for both my mom and dad. I am praying for you and your mom. Treasure the time and create beautiful memories.
I was thrilled to see your Mom’s Day photos.
It was the best Mother’s Day. The best gift for me is time with my family. I hope you enjoyed your day, too.
Lovely post Mary. I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s day.
Bless you,
Jennifer
I was able to spend Mother’s Day with both of my daughters and my mum this year. I felt very blessed and aware of the many people who were not able to see their mums.
Welcome, Kara! It’s good to have you here today. What a blessing to have time with your mom and daughters for Mother’s Day.
Beautiful post, Mary! I hope you had a happy Mother’s Day!
I had a wonderful Mother’s Day with my kids and grandson. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of this community.
Dear Mary,
Thank you for such a sweet gathering of thoughts and blessings here, and for linking to such great posts also. Our Lord really has given us so many graces, if we pause to look for them. Blessings to you as you share the love of Jesus so freely.
God is gracious and never stops wanting to send us blessings. It is important to keep our eyes open to all He is doing. I pray you have some sweet memories from your own Mother’s Day this year. Sending you love and hugs!
Mary,
So true…you never stop needing your mom. A silver lining of this coronavirus is that my mom and I have been talking practically every day or every other day. There’s not much exciting “news” to share, but that allows us to go a little deeper than just the surface. I know things can change on a dime so I am appreciating each phone conversation that we have.
Blessings,
Bev xx
How fun for you and your mom. My sons and I have been talking every day and it is the best. Enjoy every phone call with your mom. You are blessed.
This Mother’s Day was certainly like no other. I think you are exactly right, Mary – we do see God’s love reflected in our mothers’ unconditional love for us. I lost my mom in 2007. She is forever my standard in kindness and generosity.
My youngest son had a rough time this year. For Mother’s Day, he gave me a hand-drawn card thanking me for everything I have done for him, especially in the difficult times he faced recently. That card is a keeper for sure!
Thank you for sharing the story of your son. What a sweet gift you received and one you will remember for always. May we always remember our moms and those women who spoke life into us.
What a beautiful post, Mary. I totally understand how Mother’s Day takes on different meanings and feelings depending on your season of life. These days, I miss my mom and crave one more phone call, but the holiday is still sweet for me. Years ago, when we were trying (unsuccessfully) to conceive, not so much. Thank you for continuing the “celebration” even though the actual day is passed. (And for including my post with your list of links.) 🙂
I still crave one more phone call with my mom. It is one of the things I miss the most. I am glad that Mother’s Day is one of good memories at least in this season of life. I loved your post from last week and was happy to include it here today.
Mary, this was such a lovely post. And it is so true, we never stop needing our moms as I discovered lately in the most precious of ways. Blessings to you and your family!
Thank you, Joanne! I saw your post last week about your mom helping you with your hair. We never stop needing our moms for so many different reasons. I hope you had a fun Mother’s Day.
I lost my mom seven years ago. I recently lost my sister ‘n law (my brother passed two years ago). They didn’t have children, but my sister ‘n law’s hospitality, and care was just like a mom’s even though she’d never been one. She, like you write of mothers of all types, built into the lives of others including mine. You’ve captured the essences of Mother’s day, Mary, over the years. Thank you!
I will never understand why we have to experience so much loss, but on the other side is a new understanding that can only come from God. It sounds like Mother’s Day is bittersweet for you. I pray you continue to see and understand on the other side of your loss. God is just waiting to do a new thing.
It’s so sweet to hear a thank you from our children. And by this time of life, we have so many memories of our own dear moms as well as our children though the years. And now we add new memories of grandchildren and the young moms raising them. The old song “Precious Memories” comes to mind. What a legacy of God’s love and goodness.
It is one of my sweetest memories of my sons. You are right in saying we have many memories of our moms, children, and now grandchildren. It’s a beautiful legacy, isn’t it? Thank you for this beautiful comment.
I asked my husband Sunday night: How do you think I’m like my mom? His reply: You’re more like your dad. I wasn’t sure how to take that because my mom was a very kind, very loved woman! 🙂 I’m so grateful I had her as my mother. And I’m so grateful that I have been blessed to be a mother myself. (My husband did dig himself out of that hole later. ha)
Great story! I would like to think I am a mixture of my mom and dad. In some ways that is true, but I know my personality is more like my mom’s. I’m glad to know that your husband redeemed himself later that day.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom and motherhood. Thank you for the reminder to say ‘thank you’—not only to our moms, but to all the wise woman who have influenced us and made a difference in our lives.
I am not sure if it is because of more time by myself, but I have been thinking of my mom and dad often during this time. It is a blessing to recall memories that bring joy as well as sadness. I pray you had a wonderful Mother’s Day and find many reasons to say “thank you” to those who have made a difference in your life.
Mary, such a beautiful post. Our family gathered at my sister’s house this year, my parents, my sister, her husband and their children, and us. We were missing my other sister, who lives in another state. After not having seen much of anyone in two months, I was so filled by the time shared, by laughter, sharing stories, thinking of my grandmothers . . . yes, many memories were shared.
I’ve thought a lot this year about women in many different places on the mothering spectrum, and I lived in some of those roles. I found myself praying for the women who yearn for motherhood, but yet live in that role. I also thought of women who have been spiritual mothers in my life.
I am so happy that you gathered as a family for Mother’s Day. I can just imagine how sweet the time was especially in light of our current situation. The gift is in the gathering and sharing of memories. You are one lucky lady.
I also gathered with my kids and grandson. It was joyful and the perfect celebration. May we honor all women on Mother’s Day–the life-givers and nurturers.
My mom is quickly declining. This is a most difficult phase of her journey. I’ll never get used to seeing her as she is in this season.
Never.
Lord, please have mercy. She loves you so.
My heart is breaking for you, Linda! This is such a difficult time for you. Please know I am praying for you and your mom. Come, Lord Jesus!
I felt that as well this year–Mother’s Day is becoming a patchwork quilt of memory and hope, stitched together from the way I was mothered, the mother I have been and still am, and the mothers who are raising my grandchildren. So multi-colored and endlessly fascinating!
Thanks for sharing my little post in the mix of this collection!
The image of a patchwork quilt is perfect. The pieces seem mismatched until sewn together and then it’s like they were made for each other. Family is fascinating and a beautiful blessing. I was glad to be able to share your words.