• Posts on this site contain affiliate links. This means that when you purchase through these links, we get a small commission off of those purchases; in other words, it helps to keep this site running, cover fees, and support our family!

To Moms on Mother’s Day…

To Moms on Mother's DayBeing a mom is a huge blessing, but it can also be a very hard job. Often, we find ourselves feeling unappreciated. Mother’s Day is the one day a year where we often expect to be lifted up and praised and thanked and given gifts, even if we tell ourselves we won’t expect anything.

Being acknowledged for what we do is a natural desire. Of course we want to know our family is thankful for us. But, for most of us, Mother’s Day just ends up being like any other day.

Like many of you, I struggle to enjoy Mother’s Day, but something that my son did for me changed how I view it. We were watching our favorite show on Netflix, Stella and Sam, and Stella created “Brother’s Day” to celebrate her brother. That got my 4-year-old thinking. He wanted to do something nice for his family.

He came up to me the other day and said “Happy Mother’s Day!” and handed me some of his toys that “he made” and a bead necklace. He did the same for his dad and for his brother. Now, he doesn’t really know too much about Mother’s Day actually being a thing; he thought he’d made it up, but it reminded me that we are appreciated every day of the year.

Just because the calendar says this one day should be special doesn’t mean we should esteem that day higher than the rest of the year.

Moms. Guess what. You all are appreciated each and every day of the year. Your family may not show you in the form of an impromptu Mother’s Day some random time of the year, loads of chocolate, a day at the spa, or a “thank you”, but they show you in their own ways.

Mothers Day Special

Gifts are not the be-all and end-all. They are nothing more than things. We don’t need gifts. We sometimes want gifts because they are more tangible or verbal expressions of gratitude because they are obvious, but what truly matters are the experiences we often take for granted.

You’ve undoubtedly heard the saying “actions speak louder than words.” This is true! Your family may not say how much you mean to them, even on the day of the year set to remind them to, but they show it. Don’t believe me? Each family member shows love and gratitude in different ways, but here are a few ways your children may show it:

  • Giving you a hug or a kiss
  • Saying a cheerful “Good morning!”
  • Telling you “I love you Mama”
  • Eating the dinner you made them, even if it’s only a little
  • Smiling and laughing when they’re with you
  • Hanging off of your legs, not wanting to let go
  • Crying when you have to leave without them
  • Drawing you a page of scribbles
  • Asking for kisses when they get hurt
  • Wearing your clothes or shoes because they want to be like you
  • Copying your words or actions
  • Snuggling up to watch a movie
  • Coming to you when they are sad
  • Taking a book to you so you can read it to them
  • Picking you a “flower” from the weedy yard
  • Asking for your help, whether it’s going to the bathroom or understanding homework
  • Bringing you something you need so you don’t have to get up
  • Talking your ear off because they know you will listen
  • Texting you when they have a question
  • Calling you “Mom”

You are loved. You are so loved. You are appreciated. Every day. Your family is so thankful for you, even if they do not tell you outright. Don’t focus on what you don’t have or what you don’t get. I want to challenge you today.

I want to challenge you to sit down for a minute and think of all the ways your family says “thank you” without actually saying it. Write them down so you can see. So they are tangible and obvious. Make yourself a poster that says “I know my family loves me because…” and list off all the reasons.

Don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged. Our job may not come with breaks. It may get tiring. Even the word “mother” tells us our position is less about “me” and more about “others.”

Mother = Less of Me, more of others.

 

Mother Less of Me More of OthersRemember, Mother’s Day is just another day.  We may not get gifts, but we are rewarded daily in the experiences we have with our family. You are so important. You were made to serve and being able to serve others is the most gratifying thing you will ever get to do. You are a blessing and you are appreciated.

I know I have not said “thank you” to my mom enough. Mom, I know you are going to read this. Thank you. Thank you for all you do for me now (send the boys gifts, help me when I have questions, read my posts) and for all that you have done in the past. I appreciate you.

Happy Mother’s Day!

I want to leave you with one more challenge. This Mother’s Day, make it a point to say it. You want your kids to say it to you, so take a moment to say it to your mom. Even if you are not on the best of terms with your mother, you are who you are today because of her, whether it is due to her always being there for you or because you wanted to do better. I believe God gave you your mother for a reason, so tell her thank you for being your mom.

Know someone who could use this? Hit the “share” buttons below! Be sure to follow Arts & Crackers on social media (buttons at the top right of the page.)

You May Also Like

-How does your family show they are thankful for you?

13 Comments

  1. Sometimes even the relentless whining is a sign of love… 🙂

    • It can be! It means they want you, usually just time with you, even if they’re whining about something completely different.

  2. Thank you for sharing! Mother’s Day is just like any other day and hopefully we show those around us how much we love them with or without these “reminder days” 😉

  3. Happy Mother’s Day weekend!! we have taken this blimey to praise all mom’s..

  4. Such a beautiful post and a wonderful reminder!
    I treasure those dandelion bouquets.
    Sharing this this Mother’s Day!

  5. Stephanie Hebert

    Love this and you are soo right!!

  6. Well said I really like what you have written.

  7. Pingback: A Mother's Day Letter to The Many Worthy | Have a Blessed Mother's Day

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.