I received an email today from a company that sells kid shoes and it read, “Happy Mother’s Day! Today is ALL ABOUT YOU!” and it made my heart a little sad.
Sad because we buy into the idea that we need a day to be pampered.
We think that we need roses on the nightstand, cards from our kiddos, a bag of our favorite chocolates, breakfast in bed, a tidy house, or a foot massage at a fancy spa in order to feel special and valued in our role as a mother.
But this is not so, my precious readers!
You are a good mother no matter how today went because of Jesus.
This afternoon I sat in Happy Buddy’s room folding laundry – a task that the world might tell me I shouldn’t be expected to do on Mother’s Day – and my sons played around me. In between piles of shirts and socks, we had a few tickle fights, I had to handle an ‘issue’ that broke out between the boys, someone fell down and got stuck in that space between the bed and the wall (hysteria – lol), an entire box of Matchbox cars got dumped in the middle of the carpet, we called Mom-Mom to sing her a special song, and Happy Buddy lost his first tooth.
It certainly wasn’t breakfast in bed, but even in that crazy space of time, I felt an overwhelming thankfulness to God for the opportunity to serve in the role of mother.
While having a foot massage is wonderful, what is more wonderful is filling our hearts with His presence and joy so much that those petty expectations of pampering give way to the beautiful peace of a soul satisfied in Him.
So, sweet sisters. I hope this day was not wasted in disappointment or bitter resentment, but rather in the glorious reflection that you are seen by the King. That Jesus knows how hard you work and sees how much you give and His heart longs to pamper you with the fruits of His Spirit.
Because a foot massage is over in like 10 minutes, and chocolates involve calories, and flowers will fade away, and if your house was tidy today it will be dirty again tomorrow, but the effects of being a mother who walks with Him will last for all eternity.
You are beloved, dear mothers!
Happy Mother’s Day.
– Julie 🙂
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Regina Bellora
May 10, 2015 at 8:36 pmThat was so needed. Thank you
amy
May 10, 2015 at 8:39 pmWe are so fortunate that you share your thoughts & words. I know the Lord is your inspiration yet you share with us…..Thank You! Continued blessings 🙂
Mom
May 10, 2015 at 8:42 pmHappy Mommies Day precious daughter!! I am so blessed!!!!
Paulina
May 10, 2015 at 9:01 pmTus palabras como siempre llegaron a mi corazón, un abrazo y bendiciones.
Debbie
May 10, 2015 at 9:28 pmOh sweet Julie how is it that you know exactly what I need to hear at the right time? A piece of me was feeling like today was a “waste” because it was a rough day overall and there wasn’t anything “special” (but really, I’m not my husband’s mother so I can’t expect him to do something magical for me haha). And on a day like today, sometimes I get caught up in all that I’m NOT as a mother. But as I finished up doing some Holy Yoga this evening, I was reminded that being a mother is a gift . . . and in those weak moments, my God is so much stronger and makes up for my weaknesses and then some. So thank you for sending this at just the right time to encourage me to not rest in bitterness or defeat but to rest in my Jesus. (And um, how true is it about the chocolates/calories, foot massage/10 minutes, etc…hilarious!). Happy Mother’s Day, sweet mama!
Susan
May 10, 2015 at 9:31 pmJulie, This post is spot on. I too served my family by doing some laundry & baking brownies for my high schooler to take to a party tomorrow ( I love the fact that they still need mom, even at 15). My husband had to be out of town for his job, and you know what, it was ok. He is a godly man & a great provider. He proves himself to me 365 days a year, not just on one day the world says should be special. He called me today and said, “Honey, I love you. Thank you for not making me feel bad for having to work”. It was my privilege to visit his mom & tell her we love her and appreciate her. Keep listening to the Holy Spirit. I love your heart for encouraging other moms.
Amy S
May 11, 2015 at 8:39 amThank you for sharing your beautiful words with us! What an awesome post! Happy Mother’s Day!!!
mommyof10
May 11, 2015 at 12:15 pmOh I love this!!!!!
heathershobbeez
May 12, 2015 at 10:44 pmWhat is so amazing about this is that I was serving my family on Mother’s Day and I jokingly said “hey, it’s Mother’s Day, shouldn’t you be serving me???” My husband is always teasing us in the same manner when it’s his birthday so I thought I’d use his line…
Anyway, right afterwards I said “wow, that felt foreign and just not right coming out of my lips!” I don’t usually say things like that, even if I do think it ever so briefly. I was wondering at the time if it felt so weird because we are meant to serve with a loving heart, but words / thoughts like that are selfish. Maybe He was trying to gently remind me of such 😉
Elisa Chan
May 13, 2015 at 12:38 amThank you so much for this. =)
Barb Saul
May 14, 2017 at 1:50 pmBeautiful words, Julie! Truly God-inspired. Thanks for posting. 💕