Mother's Day Memories

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed" (Proverbs 31:28a).

Mother's Day was always special for me as a homeschooling mom. Each year, my children went the extra mile and demonstrated their love with thoughtful homemade cards and gifts. One Mother's Day, however, stands above the rest in my memory. That year, a well-known restaurant chain in our town sponsored a Mother's Day poetry contest for all the young writers in the community. The contestants were required to submit a short poem sharing what their mother meant to them. After seeing the contest and prizes listed in the paper, my 12-year-old daughter decided to enter and submit her poem.

Several days later, a special envelope arrived in the mail from the restaurant. Upon opening the letter, my daughter discovered that she had won the grand prize of one dozen red roses for her mother, a monetary gift of $25 for her, and a complimentary meal for our entire family at the restaurant. In addition, her poem was to be published in the local newspaper, and a special copy of the poem was to be printed and framed just for me. Enjoying the prizes was exciting, but even more wonderful was the message that my daughter wrote in the poem. How blessed I was to read these words of love:

For My Mother
by JoAnna Tatman

Before even time began
My mother for me was planned.
She brought me unto the earth
Through the miracle of birth.

As a child in this world anew
She gave me guidance, wise and true.
She picked me up when I fell down
And kissed away my tears and frowns.

When I failed, she loved me anyway.
Her trueness lasts even to this day.
As a child and a mother
We will always have each other.

Even when life takes us apart
We from each other will not depart.
For she is the goodness inside my soul,
A strength on which I will forever grow.

Homeschool mom, do you know how deeply your children love you? Although you may not see their affections demonstrated every day, your children really do appreciate and love you for the sacrifices you make when homeschooling. You are the object of their affections, and if they haven't done so already, someday they too will rise up to call you blessed.

Lord, so many days I feel like my acts of love go unnoticed. Teach me to remember that every kind word and deed is making a difference forever in the life of my child. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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Comments(6 comments)

ANDREA P 05/13/2009 00:10:07

This left me with tears in my eyes! My 8 year old daughter also wrote me a poem this year. What a blessed gift!

Homeschool mom in Kauai

CRYSTAL M 05/08/2011 10:05:21

I'm crying too!

HEATHER C 05/10/2011 06:46:54

At least you appreciate it. All my life, I\'ve tried doing things like that for my parents, but they just don\'t appreciate it. Envelopes that I carefully coloured were casually tossed in the garbage, and even cards that I made them (even when I wrote a poem for them in it) did not fare much better! Cherish your kids, and the things that they do for you, and they will love you even more.

MELISSA B 05/08/2012 03:34:43

THANK YOU! I started crying before I even got to the poem! My youngest has already begun showering me with gifts and Mother\'s Day is still five days away. How often I feel as if no one notices just how much I do. I often feel life is passing me by during motherhood. However, the Lord always brings me back to His understanding: motherhood IS my life\'s path. My children love me no matter what, and I love them unconditionally. How sweet it is to receive their special gifts of their love and appreciation for me, their mother. I want to encourage all mothers who read this comment to take time out of your busy days to listen to your children even when they are not speaking verbally. Their precious little gestures speak, too! May God Bless our mothers.

JENNIFER O 05/08/2012 05:43:06

Tears on cheeks as I read that lovely expression of a daughter\'s love and appreciation for her mother. How sweet! As Mom of 3 daughters, I cherish each and every creation they\'ve given me. Sometimes I think I\'ll have to build on an addition to store my precious treasures from these childhood years! The homemade things really ARE the best! I thank our heavenly Father for entrusting me with my 3 lovelies...I always knew I never wanted to do anything but mother---because THAT really is doing everything! Enjoy your children EVERY day--I already have one who is away at college. Amazing!

@ Heather C...I\'ll pray for you to find some comfort...that Jesus warms your heart and shows you that forgiveness is a gift from God. It is really a gift for you, not your parents-- Just let go & give it to Father...At least your parents gave us YOU, our sister, Heather! Bless you.

KATHY S 05/08/2012 06:44:58

This was truly a beautiful devotional.

Heather, you will be in my prayers. I cannot understand any parent who would not cherish and love getting anything from their child. I know you will cherish everything your child(ren) give to you, as you know how it feels to not be appreciated. I am so sorry for your sufferings and pray that God heal all the wounds in your heart.

For Mothers Day this year, I have the gift of \"life\". Anyone reading my comments through the last 8 weeks has heard my stories of injury, pain and trips to the ER.

Well my dear sisters in Christ, I eveidentally had a \"heart attack\", the 8th trip to the ER they let me stay, and at age 46, I now have 2 \"stents\" in my heart.

I ask for prayers to keep going and for the stent\'s to work with no complications. My son has been nothing short of an angel sent from heaven through all this, I\'d like to give him the gift of \"Peace\" this Mother\'s Day, knowing Jesus will jkeep me alive and well for him, as I am all he really has (and his grandma).

And Jesus, THANK YOU. I know it is by your grace and mercy that I did not die in those 8 weeks full of symptons that were unaddressed (not intentionally) by the medical professionals, I guess that\'s why they say you are our \"healer\". Amen.


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