Honoring Mothers

Amidst the challenges of living in a sad and broken world, Mother's Day is not always cotton candy sweet. There are women who have lost their mothers. Women whose relationships with their mothers are strained or broken. Women who do not have children or who have suffered the loss of a child. The year that we lost our Kara Joy, Mother's Day was a painful day.  

Motherhood is not something that is automatic. It is not a given, nor is it our right.

But, if you have been given this grace, the privilege and responsibility that is motherhood, then what you do with this gift is of eternal significance!


Mothering is hard and important work and is worthy of honor. 

On Sunday, we gathered together to celebrate and honor the mothers in our family.

This view from my kitchen window is a wonderful sight!

I think this was Paul's first time at the Big Kid table. His mommy noted that it was not a "baby" bite he was taking from his roll!

My darling great-nieces, Ivy and Isabel

We took a photo of each mother with her children . . .

Mom and her daughters

My sister Linda with two of her three children: Amy and Alec

My niece Amy with Isabel and Ivy

Our daughter Kristin with her children
(l to r) Maddie, Gavin, Alaine, Baby Macie, Ben, Owen

Our daughter-in-law Sarah with her children
(l to r) Nora, Paul, Peter, Eve

Ron's mom with one of her eight

Me with my children: Kristin, Kati, Ryan, Bekah

This was the very best of gifts: my grandchildren's sweet and beautiful voices blended to sing a prayer, "Teach Us to Love," accompanied by Bekah on the piano. It was so beautiful, and it fills my mama-heart (and my gran-heart) to know that their hearts and minds are being filled with spiritual truth. 

And, of course, the day would not have been complete without one of our favorite games: Wrapping Paper Antics. 😁

My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;

For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.

Proverbs 1:8, 9