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All I want for Mothers Day



When our kids were younger, the question came year after year,
"Mom, what do you want for Mothers' Day this year?"  
The answer, for many years, was both predictable and seemingly unattainable.  
"What I really want is happy children who will get along with each other for just one day."
So, they tried... and most often, by 9:27 am, just as we were arriving at church, someone had become frustrated with someone else, and my simple request was, once more, denied.
My kids were just normal, and most Sundays by 9:27 am, just as we were arriving at church, someone had become frustrated with someone else, and to be honest, it wasn't always the children... 😉
360 days later the same question came again.  This year I was ready with a plan...
"Mom, what do you want for Mothers' Day this year?"  
The answer, for this year was both unpredictable and surprisingly attainable.  
"What I really want is many, many gifts... just a ton of presents!!"

Their bewildered looks spoke volumes.
What happened to happy children?   
Is she serious?  
Do you think she really does want lots of presents?  
Is this really our mom?

We've laughed about that particular time for many years.  I've often wondered if my desire for my kids to simply "be happy and get along" was more about evaluating my "success" as a mom than about their relationships with each other.  More importantly was it about their learning to look and act more like Jesus, not more like what I simply wanted their behavior to be - void of conflict?

Our children are grown now, and laughingly, even this year when questioned by one about what I wanted for Mothers' Day.  I chuckled a little and began to say... "Happy children who..." and she finished my sentence.

What do I really want for Mother's Day?  I'd like to share with my husband, my daughters, my son, my sons-in-law, and my grand boys that my greatest joy come truly from knowing that they are walking with and seeking to be obedient to God.

On second thought, I'd like to share with anyone and everyone that would listen...
to mothers who are in the midst of newborn fog
to mothers who are in the midst of exhausting potty training
to mothers who are in the midst of teenage drama and saga
to mothers who are in the midst of the new reality of empty nest life
to mothers who are in the midst of navigating young adult children getting married
to mothers who are in the midst of becoming Mimi or Nana or Grandma or Gigi
to mothers who are in the midst of loving teenage grandchildren with grace and patience
to mothers who are in the midst of beginning to allow adult children to help make decisions

So here are just a few of the many gifts HE gives us.

You are LOVED by the God who created you, Who knew you before you were formed
You are LOVED by the God who saves you, Who sent HIS precious only son to pay for your sin
You are LOVED by the God who knows your name, Who calls you HIS beloved one
You are LOVED by the God who promises to walk beside you every minute of every day
You are LOVED by the God who chooses to see you through the righteousness of Jesus
You are LOVED by the God who assures you that your identity is in Christ - nothing else

You are LOVED
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, 
that we should be called children of God! 
And that is what we are! 
1John 3:1