Bless Your Mama’s Heart
May can feel like the spring equivalent to December in terms of busyness. The school year is winding down. Graduations are happening. Throw in a couple of holidays – Mother’s Day and Memorial Day – and you’re gonna be a busy camper for the next 31 days.
And when I say “you,” I mostly mean the moms out there. Mom is shopping for teacher gifts and ice pops for field day at the elementary school. Mom is on the hunt for decent clothes for graduation ceremonies and nice gifts for the grads. Mom is mapping out where to set the burgers and dogs in the kitchen and making sure there’s plenty of sunscreen and mosquito repellant on hand for those Memorial Day hang-outs.
So maybe can the rest of us push the pause button and spend some time celebrating the one who holds all of our crazy together? Maybe put some effort into how we celebrate Mother’s Day?
Does your mom like flowers? Get her favorites! Could she use a nap? Get out of the house, and let the girl sleep! Has she been scrolling online for a cute outfit? Can you say “gift card?” How about a card with a handwritten note – not just your signature? (My younger son was once known for signing both his first and last names on cards. That kinda stings on a Mother’s Day card, but he’s since changed his ways.) And today is a good day to let the restaurants do the cooking and clean-up.
The main thing is to bless her in ways that she loves to be blessed. You gotta know your girl.
And once all of the spoiling and loving have been lavished on this very deserving woman in your life, I’m challenging you to go one step further this year. Circle up around her, and give her the gift of your prayers. If you’re not big on praying out loud, slip a prayer you’ve written out inside that beautiful card you bought her.
I’m telling you. Moms need your prayers.
Due to a virus this past week, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the night watchman for moms with all sorts of needs. On top of the usual May mayhem, these ladies – both young and seasoned moms – are dealing with hard things.
In the wee hours of the night, I’ve been meeting with the God Who never sleeps or grows weary, and He’s heard my every prayer.
I’ve been praying for a new mama who is sleep-deprived and fighting post-partum depression.
I’ve been praying for a mama who’s missing like crazy her estranged daughter and grandchildren.
I’ve been praying for a mama who’s wearing her teenage daughter’s anxiety heavy on her own heart.
I’ve been praying for a mama who’s facing a hard diagnosis and is doing her very best to stay strong for her family.
I’ve been praying for a mama whose tears mingle with her little one’s because her child is struggling to find a friend group.
I’ve been praying for a mama who’s providing a refuge for her daughter and grandchildren under the safety of her own roof.
I’ve been praying for a mama who day after day faithfully holds on to the hope that her prodigal son will return to the Lord and to her arms.
Ya’ll, I lead a pretty simple, quiet life. So do these ladies – unless you ask them how you can pray for them. And then the heavy comes out.
Will you bless the mom in your life with this one question: “How may I pray for you?” And then actually pray for her! It may be the most appreciated gift she’s ever received.
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“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. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her; ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” – Proverbs 31:25-31
