Next Sunday is Mother’s Day. If you’re tired of doing the same “card and gift” routine, allow me to suggest something that your mother will remember the rest of her life.
Since she devoted much of her life to serving you, I encourage you to make a special effort to SERVE her next Sunday. Here are five ways you can apply this RW acrostic on Mother’s Day … and two powerful videos that will inspire you to do so.
If your mother is no longer alive, you can still honor her memory by sharing these thoughts with other members of your family.
Smile – Your mother spent countless hours looking at your face as she fed, cuddled, and cared for you. Your smile always brought joy to her heart … let it do so again this week. Get face-to-face if possible, look her warmly in the eyes for a long time and let your face show how happy you are to see her.
If you can’t visit in person, use a smart phone to make a short video so she can see your face as you send your greetings. If you make a phone call, smile as you dial; it will change the shape of your palate and soften your voice, sending a signal of gladness she can sense miles away (see The Seven Benefits of a Smile).
Explore and Empathize – Mothers cherish every detail of their children’s and grandchildren’s lives, so make time for a long talk. But focus on (and celebrate) her life as well. Ask about her past (childhood, family, fond memories, achievements, life lessons) and her present. Listen attentively for the joys, setbacks, victories, and concerns that define her life yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Connect heart-to-heart by using all of the means God has given you to show empathy. Since you may never have a chance to repeat this conversation, ask her if you can record it so you can savor her words for years to come.
Reconcile – Most mothers are incredibly forgiving. So they usually cover over our sins with a blanket of love. But there may be some hurts that still cloud your mother’s heart. Pray about it; ask God to bring to mind any wrong that might still linger in her memory. If he does, go to her and confess it. A few simple words are usually enough, but if it was a deep wrong, make it a 7-A Confession.
Conversely, if your mother may be haunted by the guilt of something she did wrong, or may feel that there’s something for which you’ve never forgiven her, seal your reconciliation with the Four Promises of Forgiveness. Forgive as God forgave you, and let the peace of Christ sweep away all past offenses once and for all.
Value – Most of us have not given our mothers even a fraction of the appreciation and admiration they deserve. Catch up a bit this week. Share some of your fondest memories of her and thank her for specific acts of kindness. Describe the character qualities and values you’ve most admired in her and explain how you’re trying to imitate them in your life.
Write these things out in a letter so she can read and reread your words, but also share them verbally so you can reinforce them with your facial expressions and tone of voice.
Encourage – Your mother was probably your number one cheerleader, always believing in you and spurring you on. Return this kindness next Sunday by sharing memories and words that show how God has shaped your life through her legacy of love, service, and sacrifice.
Words like these can“put wind under her wings” and lift her spirits every time she replays them in her mind.
I’ve included two video clips below to provide additional motivation to honor your mother next Sunday. I hope they inspire you to look past your mother’s faults, to see the many ways God has blessed you through her, and to SERVE her without expecting anything in return …
After all, that’s probably how she’s loved you more times than you can recall or imagine.
– Ken Sande
Reflection Questions
- What character qualities and actions of your mother do you remember most fondly?
- How is her influence reflected in your life today?
- If you could talk with her today, what do you think she would say to you?
- Do you want to develop the kind of character that your children will appreciate as you grow older? If so, take a few minutes to read about my mother and mother-in-law, who I will always remember as The Two Treasures.
Permission to distribute: Please feel free to download, print, or electronically share this message in its entirety for non-commercial purposes with as many people as you like.
© 2015 Ken Sande
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