Thanks, Mom

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3

Happy Mother’s Day to you moms out there! You sometimes have a tiring and thankless job, but rest assured you are making a difference in the lives of your children!

Recently, I tackled the dreaded task of cleaning my closet. Not exciting, but necessary! I have built-in shelves in the closet, which serve as an overflow to many of my books.

As I was cleaning, I got sidetracked, sat down in the floor, and began looking through the books. I spotted the one pictured above which my daughter, Shelly, had given me on Mother’s Day, 2010. She wrote the most beautiful message inside, telling me how much she loved me. She stated that I was the most wonderful mother and grandmother in the world. I sure did welcome her loving words. Seeing and reading them from her own handwriting brought me sadness mixed with joy. So I took a break, had a good cry, and read a few of the inspirational messages from the book. I know that the above verse of Scripture, found in the front of the book is very true.

After spending a few minutes re-acquainting myself with this special book, I decided to place it for a photo near the angels on my desk. Granddaughter Sophie, now 10-years old, often rearranges the special angels. Over the years, she and her mom, Shelly, have gifted me with the angels on special occasions. I usually leave them where Sophie places each one until she decides to change them around again, because doing that has meaning to her. She is remembering her mommy. The pretty angel in the middle has my birthstone and was a special gift from Shelly a few years ago. Sophie, without prompting from me, recognizes how special it is to me.

As Shelly’s mother, I loved and comforted her as long as she was alive. That’s what our Heavenly Father does for us and I am so thankful for the comfort that He has given me and will continue to give throughout my lifetime. That thought alone brings joy, yes, even through tears. He will always care for His children because He can do no less. Why? He loves us so much more than we will ever know. We belong to Him now and forever. He will always stand beside us, carry us when we can’t walk, and never leave us!

I am most blessed to have been Shelly’s mother and to have been loved by her as I was. Words will never express my deep love for her from birth until death. Even though Shelly is not here with me on yet, another Mother’s Day, she continues to live on, deep inside my heart. BUT, it doesn’t end there! That is the good news!! I will see her again someday. Until then, I’m so glad I found this book. No doubt it was God’s timing!

Today could be a sad day for you. I pray that it isn’t, but if you’re a mom and are grieving the loss of a child, please know that God loves you with an everlasting love.

If you’ve lost a beloved family member or friend, rest assured that Jesus is there to wipe the tears from your eyes and your heart.

If you’ve been knocked down by life’s circumstances, please be assured that your Heavenly Father knows every hurt you feel. He is waiting to comfort you and will lead you through your grief or other hurt one step at a time. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Trust Him with your tears. Trust Him with your past, your present, and your future. He will not let you down. Ever!

Moms, young and old, I pray that you are appreciated, not only today, but every day. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. May you have a great day and find rest not only for your body, but for your soul. You definitely deserve it!