You stop thinking of your mother only as the one who cared for you and begin to see her as someone who now needs care herself – not always physically but in quieter ways. You notice things you didn’t before. The passage of time. The weight she carries.

And without announcing itself, your role changes.

You begin to pray for her – more intentionally than you did before.

Seeing Her Clearly

For much of life, it is easy to see your mother primarily in relation to yourself – what she did, what she didn’t do, what you needed, what you received.

But time has a way of widening that view.

You start to see that she has her own burdens, her own questions, her own need for grace. She is not only your mother; she is a woman who still needs the Lord just as much as you do.

Scripture calls us to honor our parents – even as adult children – and one quiet way we can do that is by bringing them before the Lord in prayer.

What Do You Pray?

When you’re not sure how to pray for your mother, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Not elaborate prayers. Not polished ones.

Just faithful, specific ones.

You pray for her health because it is no longer something to assume.

You pray for her faith, that it would remain steady – or grow deeper – even in her ordinary life.

You pray for her peace, especially in the areas where she carries concern – often for the very people she once carried in her arms.

You pray for her endurance because finishing well requires strength.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you

And give you peace.

(Numbers 6:24-26)

These prayers may feel simple. Even repetitive. But they are not small.

Letting Prayer Replace Assumption

It is easy to assume your mother is “fine,” especially if she has always been strong.

Prayer interrupts that assumption. It makes you slow down and think about what she might not be saying. It moves you from just reacting to paying attention. It reminds you that you may not be able to fix anything, but you are able to bring her before the One who can.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

(1 Peter 5:7)

And over time, prayer changes you too.

You’re less impatient.

You’re more grateful.

You start to see things a little more clearly.

The Kind of Work No One Sees

There may never be a moment when your mother knows how often you pray for her.

And there may be no clear, visible outcome you can point to. But you are entrusting to the Lord the woman who once entrusted you to Him, whether she realized it or not.

And that matters.

A Simple Prayer for Your Mother

Lord,
Thank you for the woman who raised me.
You know her strengths and her burdens, her joys and her concerns.
Strengthen her in body and in spirit.
Give her peace where she is anxious and steadiness where she feels weary.
Draw her heart continually toward You.
Help me to honor her – not only in words but in faithfulness of prayer.
Amen.

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The first witnesses to the empty tomb of Jesus were women.

All four Gospels record that women discovered the empty tomb of Jesus early on the first Easter morning. According to Jewish custom, burial spices were used to prepare a body for the tomb, but because Jesus needed to be buried quickly before the start of the Sabbath, the hurried circumstances of Friday afternoon meant the work had not been finished. Several women went to the tomb of Jesus to complete the burial preparations that had been interrupted by the Sabbath.

They were not expecting a resurrection. They were simply coming to care for a body. The Gospel of Mark records their conversation as they walked:

Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us? (Mark 16:3).

When they arrived, however, they discovered something astonishing. The stone had already been rolled away, and the tomb was empty. And the angel at the tomb told them the news that would change history:

He is not here; for He is risen (Matthew 28:6).

At first glance this part of the Easter story might not seem unusual. Yet in the cultural world of the first century, this was actually quite unexpected. In Jewish and Roman society, women’s testimony was often not accepted in legal settings. Their words carried less public authority than those of men.

For that reason, if someone were inventing a story meant to persuade others, women would be an unlikely choice for the primary witnesses. Yet the Gospel writers all record the same thing: The first people to discover the empty tomb of Jesus were women.

Mary Magdalene at the tomb appears in every account of the empty tomb. Other women were present as well, depending on the Gospel writer’s perspective. These women had followed Jesus faithfully during His ministry. Some of them had even helped support His ministry and remained nearby and watched the crucifixion when many of the disciples had fled. They saw where Jesus was buried. And now they were the first to see that the tomb was empty.

It is a beautiful and often overlooked part of the story. The message of Easter was not first announced to powerful leaders or public figures. It was given to ordinary followers who had come simply to care for their teacher.

And those women were then entrusted with an important task. They were told to go tell the disciples. Matthew records the moment clearly:

Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead (Matthew 28:7).

In other words, the first witnesses of the resurrection were also the first messengers of the news. This detail reminds us of something important about the Easter story:

God often works through people the world overlooks.

The first witnesses were not chosen because of status or authority. They were simply faithful followers who showed up when others did not. Because they came to the tomb that morning, they became the first to hear the words that would echo through history:

He is risen.

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Not everyone is an author, but journaling for spiritual growth doesn’t have to be perfect – or even good. You can write pages of heartfelt words and feelings – or sometimes I find just a brief list helps. Journaling does not have to be complicated – it is a faith-based tool to help you reflect, focus, and think more clearly.

Writing things down or even typing them out on a keyboard often helps clear out some of the mental clutter. You have a specific task and something to think about and answer. What started as scattered thoughts often leads to honesty and clarity and just a greater opportunity to focus on what you want to tell God and what you need to hear from Him.

A devotional journal becomes a place to express your fears, record your prayers and their answers, meditate on Scripture, and celebrate God’s faithfulness. Unlike scrolling or trying to multitask, journaling draws your heart into the present moment and asks you to stop, just for a while.

Why Start Journaling?

If you are new to the idea, here are a few reasons to add journaling to your daily routine:

• It helps you focus your prayers. Instead of vague thoughts, you can write specific requests – and come back later to see how God answered.
• It creates a spiritual record. Looking back on old entries reminds you of God’s faithfulness.
• It deepens your time in the Word. Writing about Scripture often helps you think more deeply than reading alone.
• It invites honesty. Sometimes we will write what we wouldn’t say out loud.
• It gives your soul rest. In a world that rarely slows down, journaling gives you a place to slow down and get the rest and encouragement your heart needs.

You don’t need a fancy notebook or hours of time – just a few quiet minutes, something to write with, and a willing heart.

How to Start a Devotional Journal

Begin small. Don’t worry about grammar or getting it “right.”  You can think of your journal as you writing to God, or you can use it more to talk to yourself – a place to be honest and open. You may just want to jot down a prayer. Other days you may reflect on a certain verse or passage and just write your response. And some days, you may need to write a single line like, “God, I don’t know what to do. Please meet me here.”

 Something I have found helpful is to use prompts. If you don’t know where to begin, prompts can help you gather your thoughts and give you a starting space. Some examples:

• How can I turn my fear into prayer?
• What do I often take for granted?
• If I fully trusted God, what is something that would change in my life?
• If Jesus sat beside me right now, what would I ask Him?

You don’t have to be an author. Just a few honest sentences a day can help shift your perspective. So, whether you are processing a hard week, praying through a passage of Scripture, or simply recording what you are thankful for, you don’t need a perfect plan – just begin.

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But you might have a bunch of questions. Understandably. While our great-grandmas might have always had chickens running around, for those of us not living on a farm, it is kind of a newer idea. To help you figure out if raising chickens in your yard is right for you, let’s look at the benefits of having chickens and then ask some questions and get answers from women already raising chickens themselves.

Benefits of Backyard Chickens

Having chickens can be a lot of fun and helpful in surprising ways. The obvious one is their eggs, a daily supply of safe protein. Gathering warm, fresh eggs right from the nest is not just nostalgic – eggs from your own chickens often taste much better than ones you buy in the store. The yolks are bright yellow and have a firmer white part. Plus, you know what your chickens are eating, so you can feel good about what you are eating too.

They also help with weeds. When chickens walk around and scratch the ground, they can dig up small weeds and their seeds. This can help keep your garden tidier. And chicken droppings are good for your plants. When you mix it into your garden the right way, it is a powerful, organic fertilizer that will effectively work without you needing to buy the store-bought products. If you do have a garden, chickens can even help get it ready. They like to scratch and dig, which helps mix up the soil, and at the end of the season, they can help clean up old plants.

Chickens also are good at eating leftover food and your kitchen scraps. Vegetable and fruit scraps and peels, greens, and old bread can all be a tasty treat for your chickens.

You might be surprised, but chickens are fun to watch. They have their own funny ways of doing things, and both kids and grown-ups can learn a lot by watching and caring for them. They have a pecking order, dust bathing rituals, and display great pride after laying an egg. Taking care of chickens teaches where food comes from and how to responsibly care for animals. It can also help you feel just a little more self-sufficient.

What Do I Need to Know to Start Raising Backyard Chickens?

Raising chickens is a commitment, and there are many things to consider before bringing home the adorable little peeps. How do I start, what do chickens eat, how can I keep them safe, am I even allowed to do this where I live? So, I asked two backyard chicken farmers some of the questions you should ask before getting started. Heather and Heidi both raise chickens and address some of the questions you might have:

1. Where did you get your chicks or hens? You can get your chicks in a variety of ways – farm stores, such as Tractor Supply or Farm & Feed, other chicken growers, or the classified ads.

2. What breed(s) did you start with and why? One breed Heather and Heidi both started with was Barred Rock because of their hardiness for the weather and egg production. Others mentioned were Black Australorps, Golden Sex Links, and Golden Marans.

3. How many chickens would you suggest for a beginner? Your space will dictate the number you can start with. Heid started with 12, but feed cost is another factor to consider before you commit to a large number. You can start with as few as 2 or 4 and work your way up!

5. What would you say is the must-have supply for beginners? Safe-from-predator housing and fencing, quality water container and feeders, and at least some shade.

6. How much time do you spend each day/week on chicken care? Both report that hens are easy to care for and take about 10-15 minutes per day and when needed, about 30 minutes to clean the coop and replace the bedding.

8. How do you keep your chickens safe from predators? They use solar lights, chicken wire, and netting overhead.

9. Do your chickens free range, or do you keep them in a run? Both keep them in the run for most of the day and then let them out for a few hours. The hens like to eat bugs, but they don’t want them to become a nuisance to their neighbors.

11. Does egg production slow down at certain times of the year? Usually it slows in the winter, but some years, it doesn’t seem to.

12. What do you do with extra eggs – share, sell, preserve? In the past they have sold them for $3-5 a dozen, but now, they both typically share them with friends and family. Heidi also preserves eggs.

13. Have you saved money, or is it more about the lifestyle and experience? Because prices have recently gone up, they say they have not really saved money. They do it because they prefer fresh eggs, knowing where their food comes from, and they just enjoy the hobby.

15. About how much did you spend getting started? This is going to vary a lot depending on how many hens you start with. Heidi, who started with 12 hens, went through a process (during which time they kept their peeps in the basement!) of trying different waterers and feeders, doors and fencing, and spent approximately $250-300. Heather also bought heat lamps and bulbs and an incubator for eggs, so she spent about $500.

16. What are your ongoing costs – feed, bedding, supplies, vet care? For a month, a 40-pound bag of feed costs about $18 and if you use wood shavings or some sort of purchased bedding, it will cost $20-30. A deep layer of wood shavings though can last up to 12 months! Neither uses vet care but cares for their hens on their own or turns to a community group or a seasoned farmer for advice.

17. What’s your favorite part about raising chickens? They mentioned fresh eggs, the free bug and pest control, and that they are fun to watch. They both just enjoy it!

18. Have you had any funny or surprising experiences with them? They do attract predators, such as hawks, so it is important to keep your hens safe. Heather has taken her hens to the county fair and won blue ribbons. Heidi enjoys letting others experience holding or being around chickens. She has watched hens jumping to try to reach blackberries on higher branches and has taken them on the swing with her. She makes videos of her fun chicken experiences and posts them on TikTok.

19. What is something you wish someone had told you before you started? Heidi wishes someone had told her to get an automatic chicken door so that you do not have to be there to open and close it every day. Heather did not know how attached you can get to your chickens. They let her hold them and pet them and will even eat treats out of her hand.

20. Did you have to follow any city ordinances or zoning laws? Because of where both Heidi and Heather live (in a township or in a place already zoned for agriculture), they have never had to get a permit or follow any laws, but you do need to check your own local regulations. Some municipalities may require a permit, some may have a limit on the number of hens, some may have a restriction on where the hens can be placed. Each town or city has different rules, so check first.

21. How did your neighbors react? Any tips for keeping peace in the neighborhood? Most neighbors have enjoyed the hens and laughed at their funny characteristics. If they do go where they aren’t supposed to and dig a few holes or eat a neighbor’s birdseed, apologize and offer some free eggs. Just try to be considerate and keep your hens in your space as much as possible.

22. Should I get chickens? You do have to take care of chickens every day. They need a safe place to live, food, and water, and it is important to check your local regulations. But for many people, the good things about having backyard chickens make it all worth it. So if you are looking for a new hobby that is both useful and enjoyable, maybe think about getting some hens for your backyard. They can bring joy and a little bit of the country life to suburban and urban backyards alike. Chickens might be your new favorite thing!

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1. I Still Believe

I Still Believe (2020) is a romantic drama based on the life of beloved singer Jeremy Camp. You may know his songs like “Dead Man Walking,” “When You Speak,” and “There Will Be a Day” in which he praises God for His love and grace, but you may not know that there was a time where Jeremy’s pain, his doubt, and anger at God caused him to abandon his music altogether. This faith-based movie shows how God brings him through his loss. Jeremy is able to see God at work and finds hope again.

2. A Week Away

A Week Away (2021). For a family-friendly musical, complete with song and dance, A Week Away offers a message of love and transformation. It revolves around a troubled teen whose continued poor choices force him into a situation where he has to choose between juvenile detention and a Christian summer camp. Not everyone loves musicals, but this is a fun, lively, and well-choreographed look at a life changed by kindness and love.

3. Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace (2006). You know the song, but the song has a story. This historical drama explores the relationship between the most famous hymn ever written and Great Britain’s slave trade. The story of the abolition of slavery is told through the life of William Wilberforce, one man whose perseverance and faith made a difference for millions.

4. I Can Only Imagine

I Can Only Imagine (2018) is another movie based on the life of a Christian musician. Bart Millard, lead singer of the band Mercy Me, did not have an ideal childhood. Left to be raised by an abusive father, Bart had a dysfunctional relationship with both his mom and dad. When an injury keeps him from living out his father’s dream for him, Bart stumbles into music. The movie does relate the story of Bart’s abuse, but it also reveals the amazing story that forgiveness and God’s grace played in restoring Bart’s relationships and enabling his musical success.

5. The Forge

The Forge (2024) is a movie about discipleship, not music. But I added it to the list because it is a good movie, and its soundtrack features many singers you will recognize, including Lecrae, for King & Country, and CeCe Winans. The movie tells the story of 19-year-old Isaiah, who is without plans, motivation, or Jesus. His mom prays for him often but finally gives him an ultimatum that forces him to look for employment. Along the way, he meets a man who takes Jesus’s command to disciple others seriously and whose care, patience, grace, and investment in Isaiah ultimately changes his life.

These PG rated Christian movies are great for bringing the family together on a cold, winter night, but a couple do have some at least older kid themes. They are all currently streaming on various platforms, so choose a couple, snuggle up, sing along, and be reminded of God’s work in our lives.

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One of my moments of humiliation was when I was a young, awkward introvert with very limited public speaking experience. I was “asked” (voluntold) to speak to a group of several hundred women attending a women’s retreat. It was not in a small, intimate setting to help me feel relaxed, but in a large auditorium, up on a stage with a mic.

Well, that brief speaking engagement was one of my lifelong embarrassing moments. I should have just run from the venue, but I sputtered and stammered and rambled on in complete nonsense. I did receive some pity applause at the end which made it even worse.

That was probably not the most embarrassing thing I have ever done, but it is the one, for me, most associated with an event. That women’s retreat was over twenty years ago, but I still internally cringe when I hear the words “women’s retreat.” But the feeling passes quickly because at the same retreat, many good things happened. Despite the fiasco, people were kind and included me, I met many fun women, I made a friend, and I got one of the best recipes I own. (Best Chocolate Chip Scone Recipe)

I know that going to a women’s retreat can be scary – even if you never have to be up on stage. “I don’t know anyone else going.” “What if no one talks to me?” Or maybe you don’t find meeting new people intimidating, but you do feel overwhelmed with work, and you need your weekend to rest and recover. “And who will feed my husband and kids?”

Hope 100.7 and Light 93.7 are now taking registrations for their second annual Hope & Light Women’s Retreat in August. You may have heard ads for it, but if you haven’t, click here for more information or to register. Even though the words “women’s retreat” instantly (but briefly) bring up bad memories for me, I know that when I go, I come away happy and glad I went. I often find a freedom spending time with other Christian women that you don’t find too many other places – freedom to have fun, to be honest, and to trust.

I don’t know if you’ll leave with the best recipe ever, but I do think you will meet other women and have fun – and I promise no one will make you go up on stage and give a speech!

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But not all of us. Your mom may not have been patient and kind. If you had to describe her, the words manipulative, distant, controlling, and petty might come to mind–maybe even abusive. But when God gives the Israelites the Ten Commandments, recorded in Exodus 20, He says, Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. And so we don’t mistakenly think that the command applies only to Old Testament Jews, Paul repeats it in the book of Ephesians: “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise–“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

God knows there are bad, dishonorable mothers on the earth. Before the Ten Commandments were even recorded, Moses related several examples of less-than-stellar moms. Lot’s wife and Sarah (and Ishmael) come to mind. Later, we read of Athaliah, who counseled her son to do wicked things and killed her grandchildren (2 Chronicles 22), and Mark 6 tells the story of Herodias using her daughter to have an enemy killed. These women were manipulative, controlling, and abusive–certainly seemingly not worthy of honor. So what is God asking of us?

I heard a sermon a long time ago, back when my children were quite small, that answered this question, but I never really understood it until my kids had grown up. The person said that you honor your parents by living your life so that it reflects well on your family, your parents. One of my greatest joys in life is talking about my grown-up kids. Jobs, awards, promotions, engagements, weddings, babies–you will hear it all from me first, and I will include all the details. I am so proud of them I want everyone to know what they are doing.

You’ve seen those movies where a woman is bragging that her son is a surgeon or a lawyer. She is proud and is boasting about his accomplishments. She feels honor and pride because of the person her child has become. That’s it. You become someone that is worthy of bragging about, and it throws honor on your parents. They are esteemed because of what you have done.

But remember, this honor is in God’s thinking, so it isn’t necessarily going to be the position of most prestige or wealth, but of one that God would honor. Be a person who loves, sacrifices, serves. Be gentle, kind, and faithful, and you will be honoring your parents whether or not they had anything to do with the kind of person you’ve become.

I hope you have the kind of mother who is easy to honor, but even if you don’t, you can honor her–and God at the same time.

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You probably also noticed the news coverage being a little more intense because much of the Dayton/Cincinnati area is in what they call the “path of totality.” This path of totality is where the darkest shadow of the moon completely covers the sun. If you are outside this path, you will see a partial eclipse, but you won’t be able to see the corona, the sun’s atmosphere, and there will not be total darkness. I’ve seen it described as “interesting, but not memorable.”

But I have also heard that hotel rooms in the area have been booked for months and authorities have been warning spectators to have plenty of fuel and food in their vehicles in case there are crowds and traffic jams when the eclipse is over. So, is getting into this path of totality worth it? I was wondering that myself when I found this description (see it here) written by Eric Davis, a pastor in Wyoming. He was able to be in the path of totality for the 2017 eclipse. He wrote this:

But the total solar eclipse was like nothing I have ever seen before. There were those final, eerie, darkening minutes before totality. The bizarre feeling as it went from day to night in about 90 seconds. Cows mooing hysterically in the field next to me. The beads of light peering through the moon’s craters. The diamond ring effect. The temperature instantly dropped fifteen degrees. Then, totality. The sun’s atmosphere blasting forth in praise to God; the white, jagged rays bursting from behind the blackened moon for a full two minutes. And there was the 360 degree sunset (two sunsets in one day!). It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. It was utterly stunning; a spectacle that is emblazoned in my mind forever. I’m still wondering if I really saw it as it was completely different than anything in all creation. I can almost understand why humans have venerated that ball of burning hydrogen for millennia.

Eric Davis

Another author, who operates the site www.eclipse2024.org, said that those who are watching even a 99.9% eclipse will not experience the “full, jaw-dropping, knee-buckling, emotionally-overloading, completely overwhelming spectacle” that those in the path of totality will encounter.

So, I’ve decided to risk the traffic and the crowds in order for my family and I to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. It seems worth it. I hope you decide to go too.

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                I personally don’t know anyone who lives in a house like that. People do, of course. There are those who spend their money on extravagant houses all over the place, but most of us live in regular houses or apartments. Fairly small yards, usually just enough bedrooms for the people living there, and our view isn’t the Houston skyline, but most likely another house or road or maybe a pretty backyard.

                So I was surprised by this statistic that showed up in my news feed – sixty-nine percent of American homeowners are embarrassed to invite other people to their homes because of how their home is decorated. That’s according to a survey done by Slickdeals, an online shopping site. Apparently, our biggest decorating regrets range from shag carpeting and kitchen islands to mounting our TVs above eye level and vinyl wall stickers.

                But sixty-nine percent! That’s most of us. Now, what the survey doesn’t say is what percent invite people over anyway despite the embarrassment and how many people can’t get past it and stay home alone.

                I think we all stay home alone more than we as a whole used to, and we got even more hermit-like during Covid. So when you add in to the equation our “embarrassment” over what our house looks like, inviting someone over to your house probably seems daunting.

                But we believers are commanded to invite people to our homes (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9) – and the biblical authors aren’t just talking to people who live in mansions in Texas or Ohio or anywhere else, but to all of us, even if you live in a tiny, little apartment. Because the point isn’t to show off our stuff, but to show God’s love.

                We might be familiar with the command to show hospitality to strangers because some people have unknowingly entertained angels – probably because that just sounds strange and a little bit fascinating, but the Bible also tells us to be hospitable to “one another.” That means people we already know and see regularly. You can invite a lonely widow, a neighbor, people living away from their families, anyone.

                And while you may have had a bad experience or two in your life, most times when you are at someone’s house playing games or watching sports or just talking, you aren’t concerned with the decorations on the wall, so don’t let that stop you. Maybe clean off the couch so there is a place to sit, but don’t be too embarrassed by the wrong things. Invite someone over for cookies, a simple meal, or hot tea on the porch and enjoy the blessings of obeying God and sharing His love with others. Let us know how it goes! I’m guessing you and your guests will have a great time and leave feeling loved.

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I didn’t learn from my parents how to be a “perfect parent” so that I could teach “perfect parenting” behavior to my children.  However, I have learned if parents have a loving heart, they do the best they can at the time raising their children.

What I’ve learned is from hindsight.  I stood at the dedication of my children when they were very young with unwavering faith and declared, “For me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

However, my children did not take the straight and narrow way of safety that I would have desired for them.  Broken relationships, skirmishes with the law, and self-destructive behaviors later, I am so proud of my adult children’s hearts for God and their acknowledgement of the right path I espoused, even with all my flaws.

I was the rebellious child to my parents.  What helped me to nurture my communication with my children was knowing how much I loved God, how He protected me, and how God steered me back to His loving embrace, even though my choices were less than positive.

Now, let’s be honest.  That better communication came way too late and contributed to the conflict and push back by my children against God values.  I was too often harsh, judgmental, and legalistic.  What was important, in spite of my errors, was a heart of LOVE.  My children tell me to this day that they always knew I loved them.

When they were in their “wayward” life choices I always kept the line of communication open. As God worked in my heart, I grew less harsh in our discussions, less judgmental, and less legalistic. I found that there were many things I needed to learn from my adult children and their perspective of the world. I was greatly humbled and have told my children how sorry I am that I often couldn’t hear what they were saying because I was so stuck on my “rightness of opinion.”  I couldn’t see that God was using them to open my eyes to see Him beyond myself.

I believe God intended for us as family to love each other in a manner that builds, not tears down.  Patience, kindness, and a tender heart covers a multitude of errors.  “I told you so” and blame games NEVER accomplish the end result of redirecting a wayward child (young or adult).

What I am sad about is that after I moved away from the area in which my children and grandsons live, the grandsons don’t regularly attend church.  That breaks my heart.  Sunday School and VBS (Vacation Bible School) were ALWAYS Grandma’s invitations.

My ability to influence and encourage my grandchildren now has challenged me to realize new and creative ways.  The burden for my grandsons’ souls seems even deeper than I remember for my own kids (but it could be just the matter of MANY YEARS HAVE PASSED) or that I’m so far away and I can’t be a regular influencer as I was with my children.  But, this has caused me to pray more specifically for my grandsons, send them encouraging words through digital messages, and to video chat as often as possible.  I tell them how much I love them, that I’m proud of them, and I’m praying for them.  I most often ask them to tell me what they want to talk about first.  During most communications I do a “Grandma Check” and ask them serious questions where I can gauge if they have their “heads on straight.”  As often as I can I remind them that God has a plan for them and He put us in family together to encourage one another.

I think that is what I missed as a kid.  I knew God loved me.  I knew my parents loved me.  I knew my choices reflected on the “family name.”  But, what I didn’t learn until way too old, was that God has a plan for me and my choices reflect on His family name.

We as parents need to nurture our children and grandchildren in the truth that God loves them and loves us.  God created us with a purpose that is fulfilling and exciting if we choose to pursue Him and His righteousness.  I believe together as family we are unstoppable for the positive purpose that God has designed for us.

‘I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘they are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.’

Jeremiah 29:11

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them (children); They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5

What’s in your family quiver?  It is never too late to open communication and love on your children and let that love steer them in the direction of God’s perfect plan for them and your family.

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Now what if someone asked you to do the same thing, only with the word “Mom?” I think that might be even harder than describing yourself. Our relationship with our mothers changes many times over the course of our lives. She is what we need her to be at various stages of our development. When we are young, she keeps us alive, and until we are old enough to care for ourselves, she is our first teacher, our caregiver, our provider, our protector. She’s a playmate, a referee, a comforter, a chauffeur.

Mother’s Day is this week, and according to the internet, 86% of Americans celebrate Mother’s Day and almost all 86% of those send a card. So, standing in the greeting card aisle, most of us are going to pick up card after card, looking for the one that fits our own particular relationship with our mothers the best (okay, maybe I am just speaking to women here. . .  ). What characteristics of your mom mean the most to you? Could you pick just one?

I doubt it. For example, I think of my mom as fun. She was always ready to play rummy or Sorry when we got home from school. We played crazy games with balloons and bouncy balls in the house. One time, she crocheted slippers for me and my friends just so we could slide across the wood floor. She is creative and spontaneous and impulsive – all things I’m not – but her craziness and confidence not only put a little more fun and spontaneity into my life but also inspired me when I was raising my own kids.

And that is only a tiny aspect of my mom. We haven’t even considered big things like love or compassion or care. Moms are so many things. No, they aren’t perfect and sometimes things are complicated, but no matter what, they had a big influence on the kind of people we are today, and they played a big part in you becoming whatever that one word is you would use to describe yourself. So whether you will see and talk to her this week or just hold her in your mind, thank God for the mom He gave you. Happy Mother’s Day!

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