On Mother's Day We're Celebrating the Women we Love and Appreciate

 

Most Friday nights as Tim works, my good friend and I go out on the town.  We live it up big.  This time we split a huge plate of chicken nachos and she did a little shopping for a Mother’s Day gift as we talked and laughed nonstop.

In between bites at the restaurant, we chat about all kinds of things. Often my friend talks about her sons and her grandchildren.  A real prayer warrior, she covers her family with prayer daily, sometimes even asking me to pray for them, too.

I’m impressed with her practical love for them, how she exercises wisdom in staying out of her adult children’s business and yet being readily available to them.  Her sons are Jesus followers and her grandchildren are as well.  But, she’s concerned that given our current culture those little ones will have a true faith and understanding of God’s word and are able to make it applicable to their lives.  So she lovingly and faithfully builds into their lives every opportunity she gets.

 

We are celebrating all women not just Mother's on Mother's Day

 

What a wonderful example my friend is of nurturing and mothering.  Even after her nest has emptied.  So Friday night, I chose to celebrate my friend with the perfect card (I love how God put it right in front of me!) and a small gift in her favorite colors.

My mom is in heaven, so I now love the opportunity to honor other moms on this special day, and my friend was so deserving.

Some of us have had wonderful relationships with our moms and others of us haven’t.  For the most part, many of us can say that our moms did try to do their best to give us sage advice and teach us to love others.

She speaks with wisdom
    and teaches others to be loving and kind. 

Proverbs 31:26

Mother's Day Scripture Art 8x10 Printable for personal use only Suitable for Framing - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

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Mother’s Day used to be an icky day for me.

I didn’t have a wonderful relationship with my mom and I am not a mom, so I hated the sappy sweet stuff of Mother’s Day, especially the sermons at church.  But, then a funny thing happened…  one Sunday a young girl who was in my small group at church asked to have one of the carnations we had for the kids to give to their mothers.  She had gotten one for her adopted mom, but she came back and asked for another one… to give to me.  I’m not sure that she realized I wasn’t a mom…. what I do know is that she knew that I was there every week and I loved her and helped her as she transitioned to a new country and culture after living in an orphanage in India.

Rupa saw me as an important loving nurturing female in her life.  And really, isn’t that what a mom is?  Whether we have adopted a child or birthed a baby, or not, most of us exemplify those qualities in some way.  I know I tried to speak wisdom into the lives of the girls in my small group and I taught them to be loving and kind to others.

On Mother’s Day…

we can focus on the not-so-good… empty arms, absent mothers (physically or emotionally), abusive mothers… or we can celebrate who we are as women and recognize other women who exemplify wisdom, love, and grace.

Celebrating on Mother’s Day!


Mothering isn't something only women who have birthed or adopted children do. On Mother's Day we must celebrate ALL the women who have poured into the lives of children. Click over for Scripture art too.

 

 

Celebrating Women on JoyDay!

 

It’s JoyDay!

And time to get our joy meters soaring!

Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.  This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.

I’ll start…

Thank you, God for…

  1. my mother who truly cared about my spiritual heart.
  2. my Aunt Martha who filled in for all the shortcomings of my mother.
  3. seeing spring unfold outside my door this week and the mighty oaks finally starting to leaf out.
  4. my friends and getting to spend quality time with my friends this week.
  5. hummingbirds at my feeder and the purple finches and cardinals and catbirds and orioles snacking on the oranges I put out for them.
  6. being my healer.
  7. Your love beyond measure.
  8. Your constant care and provision… thank you for being all we need. 

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.

You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God …..
    1. For Holding my right hand and guiding,providing and comforting me through this trial in my life…
    2. Being all that I need….
    3. For the gift of my Son…
    4. For making me aware, through a Blogger, that I have fallen into the “Comparison” trap and for guidence to a Book by Charles Stanley to help me overcome it…
    5. For a Wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend!
    6. For the opportunity to help,guide and make a difference in the children’s lives in my care at school….
    7. For All the wonderful women that you have brought into my Life through the years….

    • Happy Mother’s Day, Debbi! You are such a beautiful example of love and kindness and wisdom. May you sense God’s pleasure with you.
      Have a blessed week filled with HIS joy! xo

      • Debbi Saunders says

        Thank you Diane for the beautiful compliment and for your love, kindness, encouragement, friendship and support to me over the years as well as to so many others and sharing your love of the Lord and the wisdom that He has given you….
        And I thank our Loving God for my Beautiful, Loving, Spirit filled Mother who was my spiritual mentor and guide in Life….
        I pray too that you will have a Blessed Extraordinary week!!!

        • I’m so glad God has brought us together. You have been such a wonderful blessing in my life. xoxo

  2. Jean says

    What a beautiful post. Hope you are having an amazing day. My seven this week include: amazing friendships, wonderful teachers, watching baby birds leave the nest, great band music (from the middle school band!), Spring weather, my family, and beautiful flowers all around.

    • Happy Mother’s Day Jean!!!! And thank you so much for your kind thoughts.
      Love your grateful heart! Hope your week overflows with JOY!!

  3. Minnie says

    Happy Joy Day!
    And Happy Mothers Day to you.
    Even though you have no children of your own I am sure you have “mothered”. Just as your little friend at church recognized. You build people up, encourage them, and offer strength. Boom…that is mothering.
    Lord I thank you for,
    1. All women that are good mothers to anyone that needs mothering. I have truly had my share.
    2. My oldest son and daughter in law came over this morning with a gift… they are going to have a BABY!
    Number 1 for them, number 5 for grandma and grandpa.
    3. Daughter came over with wonderful smelling soap and candles. My weakness.
    4. Middle son and daughter in law gave me Amazon cards..new books, is what that translates to.
    5. Youngest son and soon to be daughter in law gave me a new bike? I haven’t been on one in well over 35 years. It’s true, you don’t forget. And oh the fun!,
    6. The gifts are fun but what truly matters is my family..the love we share and show. THANK YOU
    7. My morning glories are popping up everywhere.
    So glad to know you have been out having fun with your friend. Talking, laughing and enjoying each other.
    Have a beautiful week. As for me I will be off on my bike looking for garage sales!
    Blessings to you!
    Minnie

    • Your Mother’s Day sounds absolutely perfect, Minnie!! I can tell that you love well and have a very thoughtful and loving family. A new bike!!!! Oh, my goodness that is tooo fun! My husband and I actually met on a group overnight bike trip, so of course, I would think a bike is a perfect gift!!!
      Have a blessed week, my friend, and may your cup overflow with JOY!!

  4. Dear Lord! I am grateful for:
    1. The energy I do have to get my decluttering completed!
    2. A comfortable home where I can lay my head and live a peaceful life.
    3. Having a Dear Husband who cares for me each and every day.?
    4. Knowing You, Lord, are constantly by my side, guiding me wisely through life’s many complicated issues.
    5. My 2 Brothers with whom I speak to every day. I count myself blessed to have had them for all these years. They have always been special, but now that our parents are no longer with us, it is so warm and comforting to enjoy their companionship every day. ❤️❤️
    6. My Precious Children and their Children for whom my love unfolds deeply and boundlessly!!? You were so kind to let me be their loving Mother. It has been an honor!
    7. My Friendship with Diane for she has made such a positive effluence in my life! ?

    • Lucy… I just LOVE your grateful heart! And how you are seeing blessings in countless ways.
      Thank you, too, for your friendship. You are a beautiful friend. xo

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