Contributed by an imperfect daughter

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

I have stood in the card aisle at the local store with the feeling of one hundred pounds sitting on my shoulders:  the weight of a looming Mother’s Day.  My tummy does a flip-flop as my eyes search for just the right words to honor my mom.  The sappy, sweet messages don’t apply—although I have longed so many times for them to be true. The silly cards seem insincere.  So I usually leave empty-handed, defaulting to a homemade card from the grandkids.  For years I have desired to pray with my Mom and hear her share godly wisdom and comfort, but so far it hasn’t been part of my story.

However, so much good has come from my story (Romans 8:28)!  He has made my heart grateful for the good and the bad.  He has caused me to see all the beautiful parts of my mom.  God has given me an incredible perspective. He has given me His love for her—that she was fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and was created in His image (Genesis 1:27).  She is just like me and I am just like her…a sinner in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ.  He has turned my longing for her to “know me” into a longing for her to “know Him”.

God has helped me to see that my story is uniquely written by Him.  My dependence on Him has grown in incredible ways because I have experienced pain with my mom.  God has given me the privilege of being a wife and a mom and I am desperate for Him to teach me how to do both according to His ways.  He has been faithful to draw me close and walk with me moment by moment.  God has allowed me to see my OWN mistakes and sin (Matthew 7:3-5).  I have found, just like my mom, I need grace.  I need Him.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner.  I thank God for my incredible story.  I thank Him for every experience in my life—the good and the bad—and I pray He uses my life for His glory.

I have some ideas for a photo card and gift this year.  I will honor my Mom because she is beautiful in His sight and in mine, too.