“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”Proverbs 31:25-26 NIV
“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” Washington Irving
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible moms out there! Today is our once-a-year time to be celebrated, but I truly believe mothers should be celebrated daily. Being a mother is not just about giving birth; it is an unending divine appointment filled with love, sacrifice, and dedication. Motherhood brings wonderful moments of joy and sometimes unimaginable moments of heartache and pain. But it’s worth everything we have to put into it.
As I witness the young moms in my sphere of influence who have been blessed with multiple children, my love and respect for them only deepens. I had the honor of raising one child, and it was sometimes tough, but these moms are truly remarkable. They’re exhausted, yet they keep going. Therefore, let’s not confine our appreciation of our mothers to just one day; instead, let’s be mindful to celebrate and appreciate them every day. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, a single mom, a mom of one, or multiples, your strength and resilience are remarkable, and you deserve our gratitude and recognition. You may be a grandmother helping raise your grandchildren on very little strength. Please know that you have a special place in my heart, and I pray that you realize the enormous difference you are making in the lives of these children who are in your care. May the Lord give you His strength even as you read this.
I recently stumbled upon the above quote by Washington Irving, which instantly brought my mother to mind. Mother was always there for her seven children, unwavering in her love and acceptance, regardless of our circumstances. Her love for us was profound, a love that could have only come from God. Although she has been in Heaven for thirty-five years, I can still hear her sweet voice. I will always be grateful for the love she showered on me, a love that made me feel cherished and valued. Because of her deep love for her children, I learned to apply that kind of love to my own child.
This Mother’s Day will be the ninth year my sweet daughter Shelly has been gone from her family’s presence. I most often refer to her as “my sweet Shelly.” That is because she was truly one of the sweetest people I have ever known. The light of Jesus was bright in her smile and her heart. She loved her children and other family members fiercely, and each one of us misses her just as much as the day she went to Heaven. These last years may have helped dull the severity of our grief, but there will always be an unfilled spot in our hearts because of her absence from our daily lives. One day, we will have a great big reunion like no other! What day that will be!
Again, Happy Mother’s Day. Your love and sacrifice do not go unnoticed. You are shaping your children into who they will become in the future, and for that, you deserve the utmost respect and acknowledgment. Keep up the good work, and remember that you are seen and loved by our Heavenly Father much more than you will ever know.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God! You created this world, and all that is in it. There is no question that motherhood is one of Your most extravagant gifts. The love You have planted in our hearts for our children is unmatched to any other. There are joys, sorrows, and times when we grow weary from the load of serving as a mother, but You are always there to help us. I pray that all who come across this blog post will reassess their role as mothers. For those struggling with motherhood’s responsibilities, please give them a renewed sense of love and understanding. Thank You for being with us on one of the most incredible journeys a woman could ever take. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
In memory: Verdie S. McDaniel and Shelly Rena Strickland Forston 💜✝️
