After Holly realized she was babysitting this week and will have the money anyway, she did reply that her mom is the same way, but she would feel bad if she didn’t get her mom something.

For some of us, our love language is to give gifts. Amanda is like that. Though we are all blessed by and love to give gifts, I think she loves to give gifts more than the rest of us.

After Holly’s question about what to give mom, I started thinking about the things I would want. I always say that all I want from my children is to have them behave, with no arguing, and clean rooms. Truly that would be enough to remember me on Mother’s Day. Mainly, doing things they wouldn’t normally do or inexpensive, from-the-heart gifts are what I prefer. Here is a more tangible, practical list. It can also be used by Dads who are helping their younger children decide what to do for or “get” for Mommy.

Pick some flowers – preferably not from my flower garden. Wildflowers are pretty and easy to find on a country road.

Anything I have been asking to be done as an extra chore. If children are listening, they will hear what Mom really wants.

A special meal – Mom’s favourite.

Breakfast in bed with Daddy. Actually, our children usually end up joining us; good thing we have a King-size bed!

Honestly, this may sound strange, but a handprint of each child -even the older children is a great gift. You can use several different mediums. Ones I can think of would be clay, paint, pencil, crayon, use colored sand, glue, play-doh, pieces of colored glass….

Something I actually NEED and will USE.

A special dessert. Making sundaes or banana splits and having all the extras – bananas, peanuts, whipped topping, chocolate syrup, toppings, peanuts… that is fun! A special memory.

What do you do well? Write stories? Poetry? Draw? Read aloud? Write your ABCs? Build Legos? Cook or Bake? Whatever it is, make or do something special for Mom.

Do you sew or knit? Is there something special you can make her?

Does your mom scrapbook? Make her a special Mother’s Day page for this year and put some great photos from this year on it. Be sure to take some special photos on Mother’s Day with Mom then too for the page!

You can use Paint on your computer or a simple graphics program to make a simple picture for Mom of her favourite Scripture in a pretty font and print it off and put it in a frame for her.

Photos are always a great gift!

Is there a favourite movie Mom likes to watch over and over? Make some popcorn – or get her fave movie treat and plan an evening to do it all together or just with Dad. If you don’t already own it, see if you can borrow it from the library.

Ask what Mom wants done extra.

Straighten out the pantry. Or the pots and pans cupboard.

Mow the lawn. Without being asked.

Dust all the wall hangings. Cheerfully.

Clean the toilet.

Scrub her bathroom.

Buy her a pretty house plant.

Roses at Aldi’s are inexpensive: $3-4 for a bunch.

And, finally, anything that has been broken in my kitchen, I would like it replaced.

Some things I do NOT want to receive:

Specifically for ME: NO bags of candy. Not even Peanut M&Ms or Almond Joy. I love them, and well, that’s the problem. NO bag of candy. No bags of dark chocolate peanut M&Ms – got that Dear?

NO $5 gifts that I really don’t need or are just to look at. Just more to dust and find a place for.

God on Mother’s – and Father’s – Day

Exodus 20
12 “Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land which ADONAI your God is giving you.”

I did receive an email from a Jewish site yesterday, and it said this: “In the Jewish “Holiday Schedule”, every day is Mother’s Day!“. Why would they say that? Is it because the Bible tells children to honor your father and mother, and in Judaism, it is a matter of a commandment, not just an old law we are no longer under?

Ephesians 6
1 Children, what you should do in union with the Lord is obey your parents, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” – this is the first commandment that embodies a promise – 3 “so that it may go well with you, and you may live long in the Land.”

Think about it. God commanded his people to do this thing, to teach to their children, knowing how the times would change, knowing parenting would change, knowing society would change. In addition to that, Paul reiterates it in Galatians and Ephesians by reminding us that it is the first commandment with a promised attached to it.

The bottom line is that every day for the Believer is about honouring and loving Mom (and Dad, and Our God). It should be a daily occurrence. It is a good thing to have a special day to remember it by, but it is a commandment God gave as a daily practice of holiness. Let’s teach it to our children as such. Let your children know you expect it, because God gave the commandment as a protection and plan for holiness in their lives.

This is the Mother’s Day gift I want. A daily honoring and respect of those things I have taught my children and attitudes to go along with them that say I appreciate you, Mom, and I love you, even when I disagree or don’t want to do what you ask. No eye rolls, no arguments, no demanding my rights to be right, just an honour for the place I have as Mom. That’s what will bless Moms. Throw in a pretty drawn picture or handprints, maybe a nice ice cream sundae event, and that would be great!

Thank God for his Commands, His “Laws”, that are for our lives – for always. He knew what he was doing when he set the standards of holiness for his people.

blessings on your journey!

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What do you say about a daughter who is like a best friend? What do you say about a young lady who makes decisions based on her convictions and denies herself those things that are harmful to her, both spiritually and physically or things that are dear to her because it is God’s will?

That I am amazed? That I am proud? That I am thankful?

I say, “I love you.”

I say, “Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to know her, to be her mother.”

Honestly, I can write these words about Jocelyn or Amanda. They are both my best friends and confidantes, and I am proud to call them friends and daughters.

Jocelyn, if I could give you the world, I would wrap it up for you. As it is,we got you a better gift. I am so glad that Grandma and Aunt Jen can be here for your birthday party, even if you did find out the surprise before they got here. Oh, and your siblings, another best gift… seven of them. And a marriage the is not perfect, but is a part of my life I can live out faithfully before you, struggling and victoriously, to teach you that God is God, and I am not.

I know that this is going to be the best birthday ever! Happy Birthday, my girl, and congratulations on seventeen years!

Thank you, Amanda, for throwing a blog party for your sister!

Love, Mom

Please go leave Jocelyn a comment and tell her Happy Birthday
and how much she means to you!