Are you prepared for what mothers believe is the best day of the year? Mother’s Day brings happiness and heartwarming memories for mothers and families to share. Mothers are put on pedestals and pampered for an entire day. Flowers, perfume, gifts and celebrations galore greet mothers from children who graciously received the greatest gift of all from their mother’s life!

While Mother’s Day is special for those who have been so blessed to be a mother, mom, mama, mammy, ma, many women will wear heartache instead of corsages. Motherhood is not bestowed upon all women. While some women choose not to be mothers, others cling to hope that they will one day hear the wonderful words, “you are with child!”Mother’s Day, like all holidays, can be lonely and painful for many.

Mother’s Day provides a time to stop, clear schedules, and spend time with the woman who gave you life. Mothers are love, the relationship we share with the one who bore the pain and gave us life is something we should keep precious and pure. Just as the relationship with the One who bore the pain, died for our sins, and gives us eternal life is so very important for peace in our lives on earth and promise for life everlasting. I can only imagine how awesome it will be when I see my mother standing on that heavenly shore waiting to welcome me home. Keeping ourselves ready to meet our Maker, walking and talking with Him daily, honoring His gift of everlasting life and our mother’s gift of life on earth gives peace and promise all our days.

We can know and love our mothers, but spend little time with them, even take them for granted. Mothers love deeply and devotedly and yearn to be closely connected to their children. Oh that all children would realize how precious their mothers truly are and give back to them a measure of the love and sacrifice they have received from them through the years. A personal relationship...one of trust and treasure, peace and purpose, understanding and acceptance, confidence and caring, comes by investing time and being true to the one you love. Mothers may get on every nerve you have and require much care as they age (just as you did from them when you were young), but once they are gone, so is your treasure. Instead of worrying about the perfect gift for your mother this year, why not spend the day with her, remove anything that might have distanced you from one another, and promise her the gift of living closely connected to one another and to Jesus. You may spend time and money but not have the right attitude and your dear mother cannot be fooled. Making a mother feel appreciated and honored takes very little, a bit of pampering, plenty of TLC, and hearts beating in tune will keep a mama ‘happy as a lark’ for all her days.

I am reminded of a story Tim’s mother shared with me about my eighth grade teacher, Mrs. Mila Faircloth and her son, my high school teacher at Clement. When Mrs. Mila went to be with Jesus, we were talking about what a wonderful woman she was. Mom pointed out what a mighty man her son was also. Every morning Mr. Weldon shared a cup of coffee and conversation with his mama. He and his siblings gave her the care and comfort she needed until Jesus called her home. What a precious gift this Mother’s Day, knowing he gave his best to his mother while she was here with him.

I remember my last day on earth with my own mother. God tugged at my heart to call her from school one hot August morning in 2001 and offer to carry her to Duke to visit my sister, Glenda. Mother was like a little girl as we made plans. That Wednesday morning God tugged at my heart to take mother a gift I bought for her a few days earlier. Starting out the door with the beautifully wrapped present, I hesitated, then decided to give it to her later. That day God taught me to follow my heart and never wait to share gifts, talks, time, kind deeds, love, with those we love, for tomorrow may never come. Mama waited for me at Tim’s office as I took care of the never ending list of teacher duties facing me with the beginning of school. Long story short, my attitude was not right, for I felt so compelled to be at work. I hid my frustration well, but we should all know we don’t hide anything from our mamas. The day was a gift from God, a gift I almost missed, a gift the enemy tried to mess up! We spent time with Glenda, her oldest, then drove to High Point to visit Gaye, her youngest child. We stayed much longer than we had planned. Driving home, I kept thinking what a happy day it had been, but how I would pay the price for being away from work. My restless legs and bit of an attitude made me miserable. Mama sensed it and kept telling me how she appreciated me taking time for her that day and apologizing for being so much trouble as she couldn’t go and do as she once did. I assured her of my love and devotion to my mama no matter what the future held for us. It was almost midnight when we made it home. I kissed her, told her I loved her, and headed home to Tim.

The next morning a huge pile of work waited for me on my desk, but I couldn’t get myself in motion. There was something tugging at my heart again. I headed down the hall to call mama, but didn’t get an answer. Two hours later, I was called to the guidance counselor’s office where a patrolman, my family and close friends stood silently. The kind officer reached for my hand and said, “I’m so sorry; it’s your mother.” Tim held me as my world crumbled. My mother was really gone.

I thank God every day for our last day together. All my work mattered little in comparison to the treasure of being with my mama during her last hours before Jesus took her home. God taught me to value my work but not let it rule, to treasure each day and prepare for tomorrow, and to take time for Him and those we love.

Our mothers will not be with us on this earth forever. If your mother is still with you, please cherish your time together and make sure the time and gifts you share with her are given with a sweet, sweet spirit. Make this Mother’s Day one to remember forever and ever, praising God for your mama being with you here on earth or with Him in heaven. Amen.