Mother's Day | JOY for Today

(Updated 5.11.2023)

To our moms and sisters-in-arms (whether by blood or by faith), here's to the happiest of Mother's Days. We pray that today you see a glimpse of your worth and a reflection of the JOY you inspire in others. Thank you for carrying out in faithful diligence your role and for your continued resilience in fighting the good fight. JOY flows through you.

May's Second Sunday

Mother's Day Offerings:

• Did You Know... Five we didn't.
• Wolfe Stew Connects To knowing your worth.
• Bible Verses and Quotes About motherhood.
• Activity Suggestions Card-making ideas, "Would you rather...?", and Family challenge.
  

Did You Know:

1. The founder of Mother's Day was a grieving daughter? A year after her mother passed, Anna Jarvis honored her at church. The following year, 1907, Jarvis organized the first Mother's Day observance where every mother in attendance received recognition. (Farmers' Almanac)
2. Carnations are the original Mother's Day flower? At Jarvis' first Mother's Day celebration, each mother in the congregation received a carnation - the favored flower of Jarvis' mom. (Farmers' Almanac)
3. Anna Jarvis (the founder) abhorred the commercialization of Mother's Day? Initially, the intention was to encourage adult children to show appreciation of their mothers. But, over time, Jarvis was sickened by the appeal to our pocketbooks. She insisted, "Any mother would rather have a line of the worst scribble from her son or daughter than any fancy greeting card."  (Farmers' Almanac)
4. Mother's Day is the busiest restaurant day of the year? More than one third of adults dine out to celebrate mom, which is precisely what most moms appreciate according to this RetailMeNot survey. (Moms for America)
5. Kitty Forman, Lorelai Gilmore, and Sam Fox top the lists for best television mom? Kitty Forman from That 70's Show made Ranker.com's number one spot, Today.com listed Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls at the top, and Better Things' Sam Fox received Rotten Tomatoes' first ranking.

We'd Love to Know:

Which fact most interests you?

Wolfe Stew Connects

A Mother's Day message centered on joy is hard for me to write. While I love my mother, celebrate the beautiful mothers my sisters have become, and am endlessly grateful for the role I get to play in my nieces' and nephews' lives, each Mother's Day I find myself grieving what could have been: my own child who might one day rise to call me blessed (Proverbs 31:28). Though I know I am blessed, beyond measure, Mother's Day always arrives tinged with emptiness for me.

As I struggle to draft this post, I realize I cannot be the only one who sees Mother's Day in shades of blue. Maybe it's you, too. Perhaps you lost your mother, never experienced the benefits of a loving mother, or don't feel like you deserve to be celebrated. Whether Mother's Day comes to you with sadness or joy, I believe every one of us can use encouragement in preparation for Mother's Day's arrival. You see, if "I'm so tired of forgetting what I'm worth" (lyric from Fighting Words by Ellie Holcomb), I bet you are too. So, today, I'm taking the time to speak to you of your value, and I pray you hear it and believe it.

You, Mothers and Sisters-in-Arms, are warriors. Strong and true. You play an important, unexchangeable role which holds value - immeasurable value. You are worth more than the most desired treasure. Our role as mothers and sisters-in-arms adds beauty, joy, direction, comfort, and faithfulness to the lives of not only our children, but to the "all" we serve. 

Our beauty is quiet, gentle, and everlasting. It comes from the heart and is highly valued by God (I Peter 3:4). This beauty never fades - not with age, not with lack of sleep, not with the opinions of others. You are beautiful and cherished.

Our joy comes from the treasures we keep in our heart. In Luke 2, the birth and childhood of Jesus is detailed. Twice in this chapter, it speaks of how Mary, Jesus' mother, "kept all these things in her heart," (Luke 2:19, 51). Mothers and Sisters-in-Arms, I'm guessing this verse resonates with you. You store precious memories of your child's (or your flock's) life and significance in your heart. These treasures bring you joy. Your joy flows and uplifts all in your loving care.

Our direction guides the flock entrusted to us. Children by our instruction (Proverbs 22:6) and other adults by our behavior (I Peter 3:1). It is by our firm resolve, quiet strength, and willing obedience that ripples around us form. Ripples that point to Jesus. Ripples that gently steer your flock to believe in and embrace God's promises. Your direction leads to life.

Our comfort is a blessing for which there is no earthly substitute. God compares His comfort to that of a mother's when He consoles the Israelites (Isaiah 66:13). Your flock runs to you when they need comfort. You are their comfort this side of heaven.

Our faithfulness endures. We take commitments seriously, not just to our children, but to everyone we welcome into our flock. As a child leaves, the mother's heart cries, "I will always carry you here." Ruth vows to her mother-in-law, "Where you go, I'll go" (Ruth 1:16) And to Elisha, the Shunamite woman declares, "As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you" (2 Kings 4:30). We, Mothers and Sisters-in-Arms, are fiercely devoted to those we serve. You model faithfulness for them.

No matter what the voices in your head tell you, or what the voices around you don't say, you are highly valued and loved beyond measure. You are beauty, joy, direction, comfort, and faithfulness. Step up to your post, Mothers and Sisters-in-Arms. We need you. You are irreplaceable.

If you can benefit from learning to accurately identify the battles at your post, won't you consider joining us in our training regimen? We've crafted a GROWTH for Today Calendar with daily exercises to strengthen your battle-identifying muscle. Each day features a short, targeted activity built around learning to accurately identify your true enemy. If you can grow in this area too, join us. We need you in the fight, Warrior!

We'd Love to Know:

What quality of a Mother or Sister-in-Arms is highly valued by you?

Mother's Day Bible Verses and Quotes 

Verses

• "Your beauty should come from the inside. It should come from the heart. This is the kind that lasts. Your beauty should be a gentle and quiet spirit. In God's sight this is of great worth and no amount of money can buy it." I Peter 3:4 NLV
• "But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." Luke 2:19 NASB
• "Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older, he will remain upon it." Proverbs 22:6 TLB
• "I will comfort you as a mother comforts her child." Isaiah 66:13 EXB
• "But the child's mother said, "As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So he got up and followed her." 2 Kings 4:30 NIV

Quotes

• "Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children." - Billy Graham
• "The mother's heart is the child's classroom." - Henry Ward Beecher
• "Mother's love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved."  - Eric Fromm
• "No man is poor who has a Godly mother." - Abraham Lincoln
• "No matter how old a mother is, she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement." - Florida Scott-Maxwell

We'd Love to Know:

Which verse or quote would you write in a Mother's Day card?

Mother's Day Activity Suggestions

Our overall tip for Mother's Day is to keep it simple and from the heart. 

Our Nephew's Suggestion:

Give her a hug and make her a card. (We couldn't agree more, and in accordance with the wishes of Mother's Day's founder, we'll end the list here.)

Would You Rather...

• Watch a mother bear or duck with her young?
• Meet Mrs. Incredible (Elastigirl) or Aunt May (Spiderman's Aunt)?
• Surprise your mom with breakfast in bed or a gift you made?

If you'd like three "Would you rather..." questions for every May day, download our Wolfe Stew PowerPoint.

Family Challenge

Share favorite mom memories today.

We'd Love to Know: 

A favorite Mother's Day tradition of yours.

We’re excited to share one more day with you and wish you JOY for Today and HOPE for Tomorrow. Check in next week for...National Chocolate Chip Day!

Fighting the Good Fight with You,

Find even more JOY for Today in our monthly calendars, holiday, and seasonal posts.