With Mother’s Day fast approaching, many of us are looking for the perfect gift for our own mom Should we send flowers or buy a box of chocolates?  Maybe a new blouse for summer or a nice pair of sandals.  There are so many choices, how can we decide?  What would make any mother happy and qualify as the greatest gift?

I have a wonderful idea and it doesn’t cost any money at all.  Speaking as a mother myself, I know this would mean the world to me.  Tell your mother just what she means to you.  Remind of all the times she helped you out of trouble or when she kissed away your tears when you broke your ankle.  Think of the best  vacation you ever took or the best meal she ever cooked.

What about all those family dinners when you knew you could talk about anything that was on your mind?  How many times did she help you with your homework or give you dating advice?  Did your mom ever wait up late at night to visit with you after a traumatic experience?

Being a mother is the highest calling a woman can have.  It is the most rewarding experience in life.  It also can be the most difficult thing you may ever do.  Sometimes love is tough and kids think you are the bad guy.  A mother has to cry privately, so her child sees her as strong.  Many times her decisions are harder on her than on her child, especially when it comes to discipline.

Can you remember a time when when Mom was too busy to care for your needs?  Has her love ever failed?  Has she ever left you out in the cold?  When I was an adult, my mother became my best friend.  We spent hours together talking about everything from raising children to cooking the perfect meal.  Some times we just laughed and shared a dish of ice cream and some of her delicious homemade cookies.

Mothers certainly are not perfect, but they are a good example of how God loves His children.  They can give unconditional love, words of wisdom, and comfort to the hurting.  They will hold you close when you are lonely and give you the strength to fly when you are ready to be independent.

God’s word tells us to love, respect and honor our mothers.  We are to bless her and care for her in her old age.  We are told of all her virtues in Proverbs 31.  Nestled in that scripture is a nugget we often oversee.  We are to bless our mothers.  We are to praise our mothers.  We are to appreciate all they do to make us who we are.

This year you can give your mom tons of gifts,  but also tell her what she means to you.  I guarantee it will bring a smile to her face and joy to her heart.