“The noblest calling in the world is that of mother. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece or who can write a book that will influence millions deserves the plaudits and admiration of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will be exerting an influence throughout the ages long after painting shall have faded, and books and statues shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give.”
As the country has been preparing to go into the mother’s day weekend I have been seeing lots of posts on Facebook and Twitter for plans families have made to celebrate, I have heard many discussions on the radio for mothers to call in and share their idea of the perfect mother’s day, and of course there are advertisements everywhere to send your mother flowers, candies, spa packages, etc. This has all made me wonder what makes mother’s day so special to me? (it’s also a bit of a test to see what my husband does with the day and how he guides our daughter, but he doesn’t know that yet). This is the first year my daughter is old enough to really make something creatively on her own or for us to do something together, which I would love! But mother’s day means more than that to me.
For me mother’s day doesn’t mean a chance to not have to cook breakfast or dinner. It doesn’t mean being pampered at a spa or being given flowers that will die in a week. I don’t enjoy sitting around and being waited on. I have a family and I cook and clean because I love them and love to love on them and care for them. So, for me, to take that away for a day is not a celebration. Yes, there are times where I want an hour to not be needed and to have an opportunity to shave or read a book but anymore than that and it’s not fun anymore.
While all of those things may be appreciated, what Mother’s day really means to me is the day that God blessed me with my daughter. The day that He trusted me with His precious creation and allows me the honor and blessing to raise her up and teach her all about Him and how to serve and love the world. It is also the day that I was able to look at my little tiny baby girl and see God’s face looking back up at me.
I have always considered myself to be a Christian, but like I have said before that does not mean I was always living my life as a Christian should. When my daughter was born and I was able to feel the miracle and awesomeness of God’s creation and see how day by day she was formed and since then how she has grown. It was that day when my whole world began to change. I, for the first time, let myself see God all around me and was able to understand how He could unconditionally love each and every one of us regardless of what we have ever done. How He would want to guide us, but not give us all of the answers and instruction. Hear our prayers and requests but not always give us everything we ask for. Just as we, as mothers, know that our kids need guidance but not overbearing instruction, and may want everything but not everything is actually good for them. There are so many things I have been able to learn about God the father through becoming a parent myself and that is what makes this day so special to me. The first day that I truly saw God and felt Him healing and changing me.
This weekend is a celebration of the blessing of motherhood. The gift that God entrusted us with, and the experience of being a part of God’s creation and seeing Him first hand. The opportunity He has given us to change the future of this world by training our children to see Him, look to Him, and live a life that would make Him proud.
So, as you receive your well deserved mother’s day gifts and loving thanks for being the sacrificial servant that you are to your family, please remember to give God His rightful place in that day as well…right in the center. I will be thanking God everyday for the beautiful child he has given me, but on this day the glory will go all to Him. Nothing I do, nothing I teach, not even the love that I feel could be done with out Him.
Happy mother’s day!!
“There never was a woman like her. She was gentle as a dove and brave as a lioness… The memory of my mother and her teachings were, after all, the only capital I had to start life with, and on that capital I have made my way.”
