{pre-Mother's Day reminders}

News flash:  Mother's Day isn't about me.

I know it in theory.
I mean, who would actually be so bold as to utter any thoughts to the contrary out loud?
That's just it, though.
While I'd never have the guts to come right out and tell my husband and sons how I expect to be pampered and celebrated on Mother's Day, my attitude if and when those expectations are missed says it all.
Case in point:  that whopper fight that broke out one Mother's Day afternoon a few years ago.

You see,
on this one day of the year,
I pretty much think I'm all that.
My expectations are a mile long,
based upon tear-jerking Hallmark commercials and 364 days a year of sacrificial, selfless service (hah).
Queen for the Day?
Yes.  Absolutely, yes.
And why not?
I earned it, right?

Oh, friends, this mindset is a set-up for disappointment and failure!
And we need to remind each other of the truth:
Mother's Day, beautiful as it is, isn't about us.
So often I get it backwards, acting like it's about shining a light on ME.
But Mother's Day is about shining a light on Christ.
He's given us the glad privilege of having a small role in telling His story and shining a light on Him.
But how?

Let's remind one another:

As moms, we are all together, extravagantly blessed.
God has allowed us the indescribable joy and privilege of hearing the beautiful words "Mama," "Mommy," "Mom" whispered from the lips of our children.  Don't take for granted that beautiful title and the One who gave it to you.

{Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3}

When the accolades and thanks seem long in coming and the cards seem like an afterthought late Sunday night, remember...it's all about Jesus.

{“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”  Colossians 3:23-24}

We're called to give and serve like Christ did.  

Humbly. Selflessly.  Sacrificially.  God sees your sweet sacrifice, even if no one else does.  

{So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:1-11}

Your family loves you, reading friend, and they thrive in your life-giving, life-changing love.  This Sunday, they may or may not say it how you'd envisioned it. But rejoice in the delight of being called, "Mom." Remember that you're serving the Lord Christ.  He's your reward.  And take joy in putting on the mind of Christ, humbly giving and serving so that they see Him in you. 

May His life in us be compelling and attractive and gladly direct our families' eyes and hearts to Him.  Happy, Happy Mother's Day, friends!