JANUARY 15, 2010

MOTHER

APPRECIATION DAY

Scripture Reading--Proverbs 31:28

"Her children arise up,

and call her blessed; her husband also,

and he praiseth her."

We did it as a total surprise. The children and I planned a special day for Mom just to let her know how thankful we were for her. We prepared special decorations and "thank you" signs and secretly arranged them for Mom. I got her up and took her for a walk to get coffee while the children decorated and got everything ready. I even got flowers to put on the table. We'd prepared special gift bags and planned to share them each hour throughout the day. Each one contained something special that my wife enjoyed like a candle or a snack.

Our meal that day was all for her. We chose the menu with her favorites, and we fixed the meal, served it, and cleaned up while she relaxed and enjoyed the food. It was one of those special family times when we enjoyed sharing love and appreciation with someone special to us.

Mothers have a thankless job. In a given year, they prepare more than 1,000 meals, wash hundreds of loads of laundry, and clean a house they didn't get dirty. They give dozens of rides to lessons, practices, and activities; and it seems like they do a million other things nobody notices, all to make home a special place.

Dads and kids need to show their appreciation. That's why Mother Appreciation Day is so important. Those gifts, smiles, hugs, and acts of kindness are more meaningful to Mom than a check for $100,000. Unfortunately, most families are inclined to think that Mom is just doing her job. Yes, she is, but we dare not take her for granted. A spirit of gratitude is one of the best ways to rekindle your love for each other as a family.

SECRET ASSIGNMENT: Okay, Dad, you and your kids should begin planning her special day. Keep the day a secret and let her know she's the greatest. By the way, kids, Dad would enjoy his special day sometime, too.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc. 47-50