Happy Mother's Day!!

Every year around this time we celebrate our mothers, our grandmothers, aunts, and friends. Many celebrate those who are “like mothers”, but have raised, mentored, or influenced us throughout life. Happy, Happy, Happy Mother’s Day to all!

I was reading a news article and the interviewee used these words “this will live on forever.” The person was commenting on a film about a tragic disaster that happened 70 years ago. These five words “this will live on forever” reminded me of Mothers. When we look back over the years and the relationships with these legendary women it is evident that who they have been to us will live on forever. It doesn’t matter if they have gone home to be with the LORD or are still here with us, they are legends (well-know and famous to us). What we have learned, unlearned, experienced, and celebrated with them is as valuable today as it was in the past. It’s not about what they have or have not done for us, it is the perspective of what we take away from the relationship. We have the opportunity to look into their lives and choose what we need for our lives, to raise our children and build our families. We can use everything, or just use what we need, letting go of those things that truly are useless. To do this we must honestly examine and evaluate those things we complain about, did not like, or do not understand. As adults we have the choice to choose what is good.

Let’s not celebrate the day the country has set aside for Mothers. If we purchase the most expensive gift/flowers and spend the day complaining or remembering the not so good times with our mothers, the gift had no meaning. If we truly want to honor her, honor the good that we learned, those things we use today, even if it was only a small thing.

If our mother is home with the LORD, then celebrate her, not how she died. As hard as it maybe it is not God’s desire for you to use the situation surrounding her death to live your life in uncontrollable mourning. Yes, we mourn the loss, that physical and audible presence that we miss, and always will. Celebrate her life because she is wanting to celebrate yours. We should celebrate with gratefulness, thankfulness, and love. If we truly believe they are in heaven looking down on us, then they would want you to live and live with hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Sadness will come and go but knowing they are where we are trying to go, is pure joy. Just know that we will carry parts of her in our heart for the rest of our lives.

On Mother’s Day share the memories, the good ones, share the recipes, the good ones. Share the wisdom and knowledge with our children and our children’s children. And yes, cry with happy tears. This will live on forever in our lives and our families for generations to come. The this should be the good, not carrying over things that cannot be changed. Live happy in the remembrance and the legacy mothers have left for us.

True love is God’s love, unconditional, forgiving, kind (even if you have not experienced it), it is not resentful, or easily angered. This love never ends. (1 Corinthians 13:4-6a, 1 John 4:7-21).