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Guess what is right around the corner? This year instead of all the gifts, let’s do something a little different and take some time to honor your mom…and your mother in law this Mother’s Day.
Listen, I’ll be the first to admit, I wanna claim Mother’s Day as “my day.” I work hard all year long and I need, scratch that, want a day for me–but I’m gonna let you in on a little secret, your mom and your mother in law want that too.
I’m not saying you give up your title of “Queen for the day” or anything like that, but what I am wrestling with, even right now as I write this, is that now that we are moms too it’s easy to get drawn into our own hectic world of motherhood: carpool, class projects, deadlines, sports, play dates and not to mention the never ending pile of laundry that miraculously seems to reappear just as you finish your last load.
I know that it’s not easy to add “one more thing” to the list, but let me share with you as a mom who is on the edge of the “empty nest” season. My kids are out and about all the time and there are days when I won’t see them at all…and well, my mama heart aches for a hug, a smile and just having them around a bit.
Immediately after I start to feel that feeling I start to think about my own mom and even my mother-in-law. Surely they had the same feelings. They had the same ache in their heart to have “the kids” around one more time and to be involved in their everyday lives.
Listen, I know not everyone is blessed with a loving relationship with their mom or even their mother-in-law, but whether that relationship is smooth and easy or rocky and challenging we can and should show honor to these women in our lives.
I love the story of Naomi and her two daughters in law. You can find their story in the Book of Ruth. In their story there’s incredible redemption and hope, but there’s also a line in which Ruth shows great honor to her mother-in-law.
“But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth 1:16 NLT
Sweet friends, we can learn a lot from Naomi and Ruth. I want to take a few moments to share with you three ways you can honor your mom…and your mother-in-law this Mother’s Day.
- Spend time with them — be available to talk, have lunch, grab dinner or just spend time with them doing regular everyday things.
- Listen to what they have to say — your mom and your mother in law have the gift of wisdom that comes from time. Hear what they have to say and even when you don’t always agree, show respect to their opinions.
- Pray for them — they are in a different season of motherhood, and it might seem like it is easy since they don’t have little ones running around, but chances are they actually miss it.
It’s not really about the gifts this Mother’s Day, they probably already have it anyways and while you’re racking your brain trying to figure out what to get them — why not try one of the three things listed above as your Mother’s Day gift this year. You can package it all up nice and cute (I’m sure there’s something crafty and adorable on Pinterest) and really knock her socks off this year with a gift straight from your heart.
What are some other ideas you have for showing honor to your mom and mother-in-law this Mother’s Day?
I’d love to hear from you…and so would the rest of us. Please leave your ideas in the comments below.
Oh, by the way, this post wouldn’t be complete without a great big shout out and huge hug to my own mom, Regina, and my awesome mother in LOVE, Brenda — these two women bless me, encourage me, challenge me and inspire me more than they’ll ever know…I love you two! <3
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