3 Guaranteed Ways to Bless Tired Moms This Mother's Day

1. Remembering Mother's Every Day

Anna Jarvis held a memorial at her late mother's church in 1907 to honor her memory. The holiday was widely celebrated within five years, and in 1914, Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday. While it is remarkable that our nation has dedicated a day to those who gave us life, the original holiday resulted from one woman picking a day to honor her mother.

We can celebrate our mothers any time of the year; every day is an opportunity to let our moms know how much they mean to us. Often, we get so caught up in making a particular block on the calendar special when, in reality, we should treat the people in our lives as blessings year-round. I am not suggesting you drop flowers off, send a card, or take your mom out every week (unless you want; I am sure she should appreciate the gesture), but instead, nudging us to be more intentional in showing appreciation to our mothers throughout the year.

And, friend, if you are far from your mother and unable to spend time with your loved one on the day dictated by the calendar, that's okay. There are countless opportunities throughout the year to shower your mother with affection, change the light bulbs, take her to coffee just because, and text an "I love you" before she heads to bed. Want to lift a weary woman's spirits? Give her love and support every day, not just once a year.

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2. Ask How She Wants to Spend Her Day

My husband is fortunate to have his great-grandmothers and his mother within a five-mile radius of our home. As you can imagine, especially for a man who wants to please everyone, he found juggling to make all the women in his life a priority quite challenging. Let me take the opportunity; if this is your wife's first Mother's Day, refer to point one for other ladies in your life, making sure to make the mother of your child's day particular this year. With my first child, I worked full-time and was exhausted. I envisioned my first Mother's Day would be spent with a quiet meal at home, a long nap, and maybe a stroll around the local park. Instead, we spent the day going from house to house. I was anything but restored and refreshed; my energy was depleted.

I don't blame my husband; we were trying to honor everyone's wishes, and he genuinely thought it would be a special memory for me. And, well it was; I won't forget that Mother's Day, but not for the reason he'd hoped. This story might encourage you to ask her instead of assuming what the mother in your life would like to do with her day. And, listen. Chances are, her desire for the day will look differently than the plans you had in mind. But, remember, the day is about her; it is a day for us to think about all the many ways our mothers impact our lives.

Being a mom, no matter the age of your children, is overwhelming. When kids are little, it is physically demanding, but as they grow and leave the nest, the mental weight of their well-being can be debilitating. Offer a day that mom can just relax, however she chooses to do so.

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3. Try to Plan Out the Day in Advance

Do you know those people who have backup plans for their backup plans? Well, that's me. I am one of those people. Even when my family tries their best to surprise me or make the day special, I tend to jump up and jump in to help out. It's not out of a need to control, well maybe a little, but I just feel bad. I am supposed to be the one serving my family; it just doesn't seem right to let them dote on me. Let me offer a few suggestions if you have a momma like that in your household.

Removing all potential barriers to her ability to rest and relax is essential. Want to make mom breakfast in bed? Try to have most of the meal prepped the night before, keeping noise to a minimum, hopefully helping mom catch a few extra zzzs. Be sure to program the coffee pot, set the table, prepare the casseroles, cut the fruit or vegetables, and do whatever you can to minimize noise.

Since Mother's Day is on a Sunday, the night before, give all the kiddos baths, lay out their clothes, and have Bibles, busy bags, or whatever else they need for church set out. Mother's Day is the busiest in the restaurant industry, so if you decide to eat out, set a reminder on your phone for at least two weeks to snag reservations. Want to eat at home? Wonderful! Prepare mom's favorite meal and assign kids tasks for cleaning up.

After lunch, give Mom an hour or two (or more if you've previously chatted about her desires) to do something she enjoys. Maybe she gardens, brings out the paintbrushes, lets her snuggle up with a book, and naps in the warmth of the sunshine. Whatever it is, in those hours, no one bothers Momma. Then, she wraps up the day with a family activity she enjoys, going for a bike ride, seeing a movie, and playing games. You know your mother, and I know you will choose well!

These are just a few suggestions, and there's no one-size-fits-all mom. Therefore, there are numerous ways to celebrate your mother. May you take time to thank the Lord for the gift of Moms?