What does a mom want for Mother’s Day? Flowers, books and other gifts are awesome Mothers Day gift ideas.
But ultimately, what we moms really want is to know that we’re doing is making a difference.
Today my friend Tauna of Proverbial Homemaker shares great encouragement for those of us who need the gift of joy and purpose this Mother’s Day.
This Mother’s Day, encourage another mom with a meaningful gift (here’s a great list of Christian gifts for women), but don’t forget to remind her that her daily work as a mom makes a difference. Here’s how.
When All You Want for Mothers Day Is a Gold Star
Another day of mothering has come to an end.
After cleaning up the last meal of the day, tucking the kids in bed, tending the baby, and preparing for tomorrow, I have exactly an hour to myself before my brain shuts down entirely.
I haven’t eaten dinner. I am spent. The list of things that never ends just. never. ends. Laundry, cooking, cleaning, planning, teaching, correcting, disciplining, shopping.
I sink my head to the counter and take a minute to collect myself before I implode. My husband looks on, slightly concerned I may not get back up.
This is my life! It is both messy and beautiful. I know you can relate, right?
I love my calling as wife, mom, homemaker and homeschooler. LOVE it. I never doubt the value of my work in this role. And most days I finish with a sense that time was well spent.
Some days though…
Some days I just don’t see the reward I want to see. Some days I just want a gold star to put on my own chart.
Have you been there, too?
What Many Moms Will Get for Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and many moms will be getting awesome gifts for women. Those are good things. They really are.
I like a good handprint card and a blender just as much as the next mom. But…
We cook and clean and plan. We snuggle and comfort and play. We teach and we train and we instruct in the ways of the Lord.
It is wonderful and exhausting.
We labor in prayer over our precious children and do our best to point them to Christ, knowing the decision to follow Him is their own.
Everything in us is poured into this worthy endeavor.
So what Moms really want on Mothers Day is this:
- For our mothering labor to not be in vain.
- For there to be good fruit.
- For our children to rise up and call us blessed.
Those are hard things to wrap a bow around, right? Yet they are the longing of our hearts.
Here’s the thing, dear moms: most days you are sowing seeds, not harvesting fruit. There will be times when you will be blessed with an amazing glimpse into the impact your work is having on the lives of your children. Some days, however, there will seem to be little reward.
Even if you aren’t sure you’re making a difference, I want to tell you right now: What you do matters tremendously.
Be encouraged! You are planting deep and meaningful things into the hearts of your children for a reward that is eternal. It is a work approved for God’s kingdom.
Do not grow weary of doing good! The labor of a loving mother will never be in vain.
Know this, fellow mom:
- Your prayers are being heard,
- your work is being seen, and
- the gold stars are piling up like crazy, whether you see them this side of heaven or not.
In fact, I want you to read these posts to be encouraged and inspired about motherhood from our sister site Your Vibrant Family:
- A Love Letter from God (for Those Tough Mothering Days)
- 4 Ways to Cope When Motherhood Feels Relentless
- 8 Tips for Finding Rest in Every Mothering Season
- How to Find Motherhood Motivation on the Tough Days
Pass these on to other moms who need to read them (they want the gift of meaning and purpose this Mothers Day too).
And then, this Mother’s Day, enjoy your children, bask in the love of their hand-print cards, and rest in knowing that what we really want has already been given: a labor of love that will bear eternal fruit for the King.
Happy Mother’s Day to you!
P.S. Did you read this post hoping to find some good Mothers Day gift ideas? I totally get it. I mean, encouragement is important, but we still want to give those moms in our lives a meaningful gift as way to say thank you, right?
If you’d like some meaningful Christian gift ideas for moms, check out this post:
10 Encouraging Christian Gifts for Women
