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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Outgoing (05/05/11)
Mothers’ Day is always special to me. It’s an opportunity for me to celebrate my own biological mum and all the precious women in my life.

I always get a real kick out of selecting presents that I know will delight their hearts. I love to send messages to girlfriends and others to bless and encourage them.

I spent last Saturday night wrapping presents for my sweet Mothers in church and was satisfied by the time I was going to bed way past midnight that I was all set to put smiles on the faces of some dear women.

Fast forward to Mothers’ Day morning and my first wishes came from my sleepy-eyed roommate as he stretched on the bed. All the while, I was secretly expectant that as usual, he and the kids would have at least a card for me. Talk about being smug!

I handed over a gift I got for my Nanny to my 7-year old son to give to her along with my daughter’s home made scroll with a message for Nan. Meanwhile for some reason, I was yet to hear a simple Happy Mothers’ Day from my trio and I had to remind them what day it was!

I shrugged it all off and my fertile imagination ran wild. Were they planning a surprise for me or what?

At Church, I had planned a presentation to the Mother of our Church with the Youth group which was well received. It wasn’t much but I was glad that we had made the effort to appreciate this dear woman of God.

After Church service, I ensured that we “visited” my Mother in-law at her church to share hugs and let her know how much we appreciated her. We had planned to take her out to lunch but decided to defer it in order to visit a dear friend who was going through a challenging phase of life.

It was a surprise visit that brought so much pleasure to this lady, a special Auntie and Mother to my kids. The kids were delighted as they had been pestering me to visit her for so long.

I watched as my nine year old Tania, cleaned up the table after lunch, did the dishes and mopped the kitchen floor and set everything in place.

My heart swelled with the pride of Motherhood, after all I am doing something right, I thought! Then I realised how much she had grown. Lord, help me guide her and teach her to become a lady after your heart I prayed silently.

Sitting there, it dawned on me that Mothers’ Day was a day for me to also celebrate the gifts God has given me as a mother. My precious children and others God had given me to mentor and impact directly or indirectly. It was a day to evaluate my impact in my children’s lives. Was I giving them enough time and attention or was my job and ministry, keeping me away from them? I have to admit I am not all there yet I realise there is more balancing I need to do!

When we got home, my Nanny handed over to me a hand-made Mothers’ day card that my four-year old daughter had brought home from school for me.
I smiled because in her childish innocence, little Gracie had given herself away when on Saturday Morning she told me, “Mummy I have something for you!”

I went to bed wondering, what went wrong today? This was the first time my husband hadn’t given me a card. Frankly, I was a bit upset. I tried to rationalise that this was just a day so get over it but the bad feeling was getting a grip over me!

Finally, as I drifted off the sleep, I felt like I was taking a journey through the day. The people I had called, the gifts I had given, our trip to the other end of town which was such a treat for the kids.
And me? I got to spend time catching up with a girlfriend I hadn’t seen in a while. I got the chance to encourage and pray with her and her husband.

Really, some days are special not because of what you receive but because of what you give. I felt thankful to God then for the privilege of being able to pour my life out to bless others!
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This article has been read 705 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Deborah Porter 
05/13/11
This entry is this week's randomly chosen winner of our weekly bonus prize--a free ratings feedback report. The author will be contacted today via the Private Messenger service with more information.

Congratulations. :-)

Deb (Challenge Coordinator)
diana kay
05/14/11
oooo well done on the "random selection" of the bonus prize. I so would like to know what they say!!
a lovely look at mothers day.. I was wondering how this busy character had the time to make presents for ALL the mothers in her church. I also was wondering how it fitted in the topic until you cleverly talked about the "pouring out" of mothers in service and wrapped it up beautifully.
now i wonder if the experts will say ANY of this??
Mildred Sheldon
05/15/11
To begin, "CONGRATS!" This truly was a beautifully written story. One that I enjoyed from beginning to end. Very touching and heart warming. Great job and keep writing.