“May the Lord richly bless both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 115: 14-15

Happy Mother’s Day!

Moms are special people! For many of us, we are moms and are celebrated in sweet ways today. For others, you have taken the time to appreciate mom, and for some of us, like myself, today is a day to hold close the memories of the mom you once had!

Being a mom is amazing! I didn’t know I would experience such deep emotions or have the capacity to love unconditionally. Motherhood is an extraordinary blessing from God that comes with the biggest honor and responsibility. We won’t always be perfect moms, and I can recall many times I felt strained in my relationship with my mother. My mother and I didn’t see eye to eye, which troubled our relationship. Through it all, I have learned that motherhood has struggles, hard days, and mistakes are made. Yet, Moms are also foundational people, building up faith and tradition in the hearts of their children. A mom’s faith and tradition can create valuable legacies to pass on.

My mother always told me to pray, and that advice made a huge impact on my life. Prayer is something so special in our home. We pray before we leave the house, at dinner, before bedtime and anytime we can or hear of a need. My children have created a prayer wall in their rooms and have pages or index cards full of prayers. It amazes me the impact prayer has made in their lives, as it did mine. I call it the praying shield of a mother.

“Pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18)

I appreciate being a mom and the unique role God entrusted me with. Looking after my children is the best thing I am intentional about. This unique role is the shield of Mother. Really, the shield is faith in God, his word, the power of prayer, love, and the nurture that moms are so blessed to give their children. Moms carry this shield with them everywhere they go.

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)

It has been a few years since my mother passed away. There isn’t a week that goes by that I get the urge to call her. My mom had a contagious laugh and there are many other things I miss about her. The biggest thing though, I keep tucked in my heart was that when I had something going on in my life, she would tell me to pray. Yes, the world seems emptier with no mama to share life with, especially on Mother’s Day. No more coffee dates and baking bread, but I am so thankful for the mom I had and all the times we shared.

 It’s hard to find words that express the unconditional love of a mother. The sleepless nights, selfless ways, and wonderful endurance that the praying shield of a mother gives. A mother’s heart is made to be on your side, and mama hugs make it all better! I can hear the echo of my mother’s voice, reminding me to pray. I miss her but I have comfort knowing my mother is alive in Christ, and one day I will see her again.

God’s word says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, for whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Saying goodbye to my mother set a new milestone in my life that marks the sad ending of something irreplaceable, yet as I love my children and teach them to pray, the wonderful shield of a mother continues, and her legacy is not forgotten.

I want to remind you that you make a beautiful difference in the world!!!

Happy Mother’s Day!