Not too long ago, I came across a Facebook post talking about mothers and the importance of treating them kindly. I took that and modified it to fit me and to add my faith to it. It went like this:
“Be gentle with your Mother…
There are times that a quick, short answer jumps out of your mouth. Full of sharp edges that draw blood. And you look away so you don’t need to see the pain you know you caused.
Half of what she does, you don’t understand. The things she allows leave you cold and irritate you.
One moment you want to fold her in your arms, the next you wish you could just shake her a bit.
One day it will all make sense to you.
The things she never told you about, are the very things that hollowed out her insides and then built her up again, so she can carry more and more where no-one can see the weight. Those things that sometimes break her where you can actually see it, even though you prefer not to.
Her eyes notice everything, yet she keeps so much to herself. She steps back and offers her love, faith, and hope for the sake of her child’s happiness. The gratitude she deserves for doing that is far and few between, yet her flame of gratitude, praise and prayer reaches close to the heart of Heaven.
Should you be blessed enough to still have her breathing the air of this earth, it’s time you start digging in your gratitude-archives and find the warmth in your heart, the kindness and appreciation in your voice and the same admiration and love you had as a toddler for her.
I beg of you to please, today and every day, be gentle with your Mother. Because the day will come that her morning greeting will no longer be. Her words “I love you past Jesus’ house” will no longer be. Her encouraging words will no longer be heard. Her hugs, gifts and sacrificial prioritizing of you will be no more. All that will be left are memories……
Be gentle with your Mother. 💙”
The more I work with women who are coming to LifeHouse, the more I understand the value of having a good mother. Many of these ladies either never knew their mother or their mother was in active addiction and were either absent or in prison. They have never really known a mother.
We sure take so much for granted.
Proverbs 31:25-27: “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.”
Proverbs 31:28-29: “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’”
Proverbs 31:31: “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
So as we approach Mother’s Day, take the time to remember and appreciate your mother and all she has done for you. Honor her well. Many have longed for what you were freely given.