THANKFUL

A wife/mother of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him/her children good, not harm, all the days of their life. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women/mothers do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman/mother who fears the LORD is to be praised (exerts from Proverbs 31).

Dear heavenly Father.

Thank You, Lord, for the privilege to honor our mothers, our wives, our sisters on this special day. You have entrusted these dear ladies with the care and nurturing of Your most precious treasures and Your gifts to us, our children. Some moms have multiple children, others are blessed with only one. Other moms may not have borne children but have chosen to deeply love their children inherited through blended families or adoption. You have gifted Your special needs children with special moms who You knew could be trusted with these angel-like kids who only know how to love everyone. You’ve given each mom talents and unique gifts that molded her children’s lives. And You’ve instilled in every mom the yearning to pray for her kids.

Thank You for our stay-at-home moms, who are home while her children are in their school years. Your grace carries them through these sacrificial years when delayed amenities often benefit the children’s emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Thank You, Lord, for that same grace You give moms who work outside the home but juggle tasks ad infinitum that keep their family life flowing. How moms quickly adapt to changing circumstances make them truly some of Your most amazing creations, Lord.

There is one undeniable truth: all moms need God’s grace. With school, extra-curricular activities, church programs, doctor appointments, dance lessons, soccer practice, quick suppers, baths for little ones, late night laundry, bandaging skinned knees and mending broken hearts, checking homework, keeping sibling at peace with one another—oh, my! Lord, the list of moms’ sacrifices never ends, but neither does Your grace ever end. Only You can turn ordinary women into SuperMoms! Weary moms finally drop into bed, fatigued and exhausted, to find welcomed sleep, but they’re wide awake at the least peep coming from the kid’s room. The mundane days seem never ending, dragging on forever, but as Psalm 39 says, the years fly by as a whisper. Her little one started pre-K it seems like just yesterday and now here they are, walking across the stage, diploma in hand, ready to tackle the world. How did this happen so quickly? What mom hasn’t felt that gulp in her throat watching her kids walk away to a new chapter in their lives. Thank You, Lord, for our mother’s prayers on our behalf.

Thank You for the moms who are now their children’s friend, and when called upon, a part-time advisor. Thank You for the grace You give them as they adapt to this new transition in their lives. Thank You, Lord God. for the blessings of grandchildren. Oh, how You created these moms to be authentically grand, spoiling their grandkids like crazy. These grandmas need Your extra measure of grace to reign them in!

Thank You, Lord, for the priceless memories of our mothers who have preceded us into Heaven. They reside forever in our hearts. We would give anything humanly possible to hold them once more, but we’re promised the day is coming when we will be united again—forever. For some of us, our moms are even more overjoyed, and we are comforted, knowing our moms are holding their kids and grandkids who have preceded us to Heaven. Their godly influence molded our lives and You heard their countless prayers on our behalf—and the prayers worked! Chuck Swindoll tells how his mother’s prayers led him to God. She’d admonish him, God help you if you do that again, young man!

May we men, husbands and fathers, never take our mothers or wives for granted, but give us a greater appreciation of these remarkable godly ladies who fill a prominent role in the Kingdom of God.

Thank You, Lord, for creating moms. We love our moms—just like You, Jesus, loved Your momma Mary.

Amen.

“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.”—Jill Churchill

Jimmy Eskew © 2019