What Should We Do For Mom?

It happens often. We’re all busy and tied up with a million things to do and holidays, birthdays, and other such celebrations often sneak up on us. With less than a week to Mother’s Day, you may be in a time crunch and wondering what to do. Time is a precious commodity these days, with jobs, children of our own, social commitments, and daily to-do’s taking up almost every available sane minute.

It doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, the Bible says to set aside the weight that overtakes us in life. In other words, we ought to be focusing our energies on things that matter. Not that our jobs, children, social commitments and daily to-do’s don’t matter. But oftentimes, we forget to stop and enjoy the simple things in life. Our mothers are important. They have given birth to us, cleaned us up, wiped our mouths, and held us when we were sick. They stood by us when we got bullied by our peers and disciplined by our dads. And when we get older, they are there to care for our own children, when we need a break.

So, how do you demonstrate appreciation for someone so integral and important in your life? Buying material gifts are great, but this year, think of your mother and what would truly make her feel like a queen for one day. For some mothers, enjoying a spa treatment will make them feel appreciated. Others prefer to enjoy someone else’s cooking or cook a dinner for their entire family themselves, but most just want to spend time with the ones they love.

If you’re stuck on what to do, try to remember something your mother truly enjoyed. Was it inviting the pastor over for Sunday brunch? Or was it flying your brother home from Iraq without hinting he was coming? Whatever the case may be, this is a time our mothers ought to be honored without considering your siblings or your own feelings. Some of us are so used to being cared for by our mothers that we forget they need caring as well.

Gift ideas should follow the same pattern. Too many times, too many mothers have accepted gifts from their children and spouses with concealed disappointment. Make an effort to find out what she truly enjoys. For great ideas, consider taking your mother shopping. Sometimes the element of surprise is not as important as her happiness.

One of the greatest things I ever did for my own mother was when my sisters and I decided to give her money. It made her happy to buy what she truly wanted. Since then, she never gets tired of getting gift cards, and neatly folded dollar bills in cards. Her eyes light up in surprise, even after years of giving the same gift. We all would prefer to buy her maybe a piece of jewelry or a hand bag, but gift cards and money make her happy. After all, she did give birth to us, cleaned us up, wiped our mouths, and held us when we were sick. And she did stand by us when we got bullied by our peers and disciplined by our dad. And now that we’re older, she’s there to care for our own children, when we need a break.