From the Inside Out

After church this morning, we met up with our moms in Plano for a special Mother’s Day lunch. We munched on Mexican food, discussed recent events, and gave them gift bags filled with a few special treats.

I may not say it much, but I’m extremely thankful for my mom. God gave me a fabulous mother, and I’m truly blessed. He also brought another fantastic woman into my life when I met Gary. Most girls are lucky to get one mom that they can look up to, but I am double-blessed. I’ve got two!

More Than A Mother, By Kari Keshmiry

When God set the world in place,
when He hung the stars up in space,
when He made the land and the sea,
then He made you and me.

He sat back and saw all that was good,
He saw things to be as they should.
Just one more blessing He had in store;
He created a mother, but whatever for?

He knew a mother would have a special place
to shine His reflection on her child’s face.
A mother will walk the extra mile
just to see her children smile.

She’ll work her fingers to the bone
to make a house into a home.
A mother is there to teach and guide,
a mother will stay right by your side.

She’ll be there through your pain and strife,
she’ll stay constant in your life.
A mother will lend a helping hand
until you have the strength to stand.

She’ll pick you up when you are down,
when you need a friend she’ll stick around.
A mother is one who listens well,
will keep her word; will never tell.

A mother never pokes or pries
but stands quietly by your side,
giving you the strength you need,
encouraging you to succeed.

A mother is one who can be strong
when you need someone to lean on.
You’re more than a mother to me;
a reflection of Him in your face I see,
a love that knows no boundaries.

I’m glad that you chose to be
all this and more to me.
You share a love that knows no end,
you’re more than my mother,
you are my friend.

Bill Shuler’s blog on Friday included 10 thoughts about Moms for Mother’s Day. As we prepare to honor our mothers on Sunday, I thought these were fitting to share:

1. “All I am I owe to my Mother.” — George Washington
2. “I remember my Mother’s prayers and they have always followed me.” — Abraham Lincoln
3. “Do not forsake your Mother’s teaching.”– Proverbs 1:8
4. Mom’s heartbeat was our very first affirmation that we were not alone.
5. Although we made our debut wrinkled, squished and screaming, Mom thought we were the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.
6. A mom’s love can be found in the beauty of adoption and the wisdom of counsel.
7. The cord was cut at birth but the heartstrings are attached forever.
8. When God thought to describe his love for us he said, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.”
9. There was a time when Mom mended scrapes and tended to bruises –- now just the thought of her brings healing.
10. She made you feel like your first play was Shakespeare, your first game – the World Series, your first painting – Michelangelo.

Bill also pointed out that even while Jesus was dying on the cross, he made certain that his mother would be cared for by his followers. Wow, what a strong example for us to follow — not only once a year on Mother’s Day, but all year long!

Our mothers endured 9 months of pregnancy, birth, diapers, and a whole host of other nasty duties in order to give us a good start in life. They were always there when we needed them — and still are. So, be sure to honor your mom tomorrow, but don’t stop there. Honor her in word and deed; tell her “thanks” even when it’s not a contrived holiday — it’ll mean even more to her when you do it unprompted.

Busy?

Don’t have time for the standard duties that are associated with Mother’s Day?

Outsource them. Yes, that’s right: follow the example of some of the world’s most successful companies and outsource those pesky duties.

Let’s face it. We all love our mothers, but we’re busy people. Between work, personal commitments and “me time”, it can be hard to squeeze in that call to your mom on Mother’s Day.

Well, there’s no need to worry. MomSourcing will take care of it for you. This free service places a personalized phone call directly to your mom on Mother’s Day. By outsourcing, you can free up your Sunday while knowing that mom will be in good hands with one of MomSourcing’s Relationship Specialists. The service is also great for Grandmothers and Stepmoms.

When you visit their website, you can listen to a sample call and hear how special this personalized service is. A call center specialist will personally tell your mother that “your child” loves her “very much” and wish her a day “full of enjoyment.” These are words that would warm any mother’s heart… whether it’s coming from you or Sandeep.

Contact MomSourcing today and have a guilt-free Mother’s day. Relationship specialists are standing by now!

Mother’s day reaches its 100th anniversary on Sunday.  I find it interesting that a woman who never married and never had children was the one who started it all.  Anna Jarvis organized the first mother’s day service in 1908, three years after her mother died.  Even though she wasn’t a mother, she felt it was important to recognize these hard working women and create a memorial for them. 

West Virginia became the first state to recognize Mother’s Day in 1910. President Woodrow Wilson approved a resolution in 1914 marking the second Sunday in May a nationwide observance.  Now 52 countries across the world celebrate this day in May.

The celebrations have changed greatly over time.  With 83 million mothers in the USA alone, retailers have seized the opportunity and commercialized the holiday.  That was not part of Anna’s vision.  She had only intended for mothers to be honored with a single white carnation.  She didn’t like the idea of people buying cards either.  Anna felt that in purchasing a card, people were being too lazy to write a personal greeting to the women who reared them.

Anna had a point.   The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend $15 billion this year honoring their mothers. Dining out is expected to be the No. 1 expense.  Amidst all of the shopping and eating, we may neglect the one thing that is most important — a personal word of thanks for all the sacrifices our moms made throughout the years. 

As you send flowers, mail your cards, and eat dinners with your mothers on Sunday, don’t neglect the most important thing.  Tell your mom how much she means to you.  I know I will.