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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Flower Power

Flowers are a no-brainer, but there are a few easy ways to up your game and really show you’re paying attention. For example, you could paint terra cotta pots with quotes, song lyrics, designs, or colors that mean something to your mom. Another fun idea for the foodie mom is to plant an herb pot with all her favorite cooking herbs, or if she has a spot in her flower bed that she never quite gets around to, you could plant a salsa garden. All you need is a tomato plant, a jalapeno pepper plant, onion bulbs, and cilantro! You could paint a little sign to put in there for added cuteness points!

Picture This

What better way to show Mom you’re thinking of her every day of the year than making her a custom calendar? There are many options online for designing your own calendar, or even options to print it yourself. It’s really fun to use pictures of great memories from that particular month through the years. In the place you add birthdays and anniversaries, you can include special days to your family or inside jokes guaranteed to bring a smile to Mom’s face. 

Memories Reimagined

Although this idea could be basically free, it will take some time! You and your siblings recreate family memories, either by video or pictures. If you haven’t seen the childhood picture recreations people have been doing, head straight over to Google and prepare to laugh your head off! Making an album with the originals and recreations plus written memories and notes from the kids would make a gift that keeps on giving!

Be A Kid Again

Has your mom ever gone through a time when she’s sentimental about something from her childhood? Maybe she’s told you about her favorite book, toy, or movie? Now more than ever before, you have the resources to find vintage or rare items. You could check eBay, Etsy, Thriftbooks, online auctions, or websites that specialize in older items. Imagine being able to find something that can take Mom right back to being a kid again!

Treat Yo’ Self

If a spa day isn’t in the budget, don’t despair! We’re going to tell you how to do a DIY spa at home! You can find recipes online for homemade face mask, hair treatment, foot soak, and bath bombs. Look up some massage techniques to give Mom a back massage. Prepare some of her favorite snacks and drinks, put a few vases of flowers around, and turn on some calming music. If you don’t feel confident giving your mom a manicure or pedicure, recruit one of her friends or a teenage girl in the neighborhood. There are so many fun things to do; let your imagination soar!

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We’d love to hear from you! What are some ways you like to pamper your mom on a budget?

For more thought-provoking topics, tune in to Hope 100.7. 
God bless you. Stay hopeful!

The post Mother’s Day Gift Ideas On A Budget appeared first on Hope 100.7.