Anna Jarvis
Anna Jarvis was on to something when she came up with the idea to dedicate a day to honor moms once a year. Smart thinking… I wonder what her motives where….. You know, I wonder if she was a stinker in her childhood and finally grew up to realize that her mother put up with a lot and she was extremely grateful or maybe she did something really wrong and her mother liked to hold it over her head but was softened each year by the day long celebration or possibly Ms. Jarvis was a mother to a bunch of kids and felt like she needed the appreciation and started the day to get some. Actually, that sounds like something I might do. I’m guessing that Anna’s motives were pure and she truly appreciated her mother… I would guess her mother was one who resembled a Proverbs 31:28-31 mother, (her children call her blessed) therefore she wanted to celebrate her life and love.
I’m a believer in Mother’s Day and I think a day to honor Mom is great. Although my family is pretty great about letting me know I’m loved, I think there is something missing from Mother’s Day. My family may be good about it but there are many mothers out there whose kids or husbands need that reminder to give mom a little of their appreciation. Commercials on television, posters or sales in stores are reminders to some, but I’m thinking out of the box here… I think that when Ms. Jarvis began her day of celebrating Mom she forgot the ever important gift toting mascot. You know, Christmas has Santa, Easter has the bunny…. I think Mother’s Day, a very credible day to honor Mom, needs someone that moms can make requests to. Now, I’m not advocating gifts of materialism as a sign of love…. in fact, lets make this Mother’s Day mascot have a financial limit… I’m thinking more on the lines of gifts of meaning… Like this would be my list:
- Sleep in Late (not happening)
- A two-hour long massage…okay, I’ll even take 10 minutes
- A restaurant or meal that I choose- even if it no one else wants it
- No one in the house argues… everyone is sickening sweet to each other
- Everyone watches Cold Case Files or American Justice on A&E and loves it
- The house is quiet unless requested otherwise
See what I mean? Those things aren’t costly… 
at least not costly in monetary terms and Mother’s Day would seem so trouble free. So now who do we take them to? What should this mascot be? A goose, maybe? (very motherly like) How about a kangaroo? (Another motherly figure) Possibly even some rough looking muscle guy? Or how about a little bird? ( “A little bird told me….”) I don’t know. And what about the name? Maybe “Mother’s Day Mother Goose” or “Mama Flyer” or “Mother’s Day Sparrow”… Or better yet.. It would be someone who could really get the job done…. Super Nanny Jo!
Supernanny Jo Frost
Okay, I realize that appreciation comes from the heart… there is not someone, or some mascot, who can create appreciation for a mom or anyone else for that matter. It has to come from within for it to be true. So if I want any of these things, it might not hurt to ask, but that will not be my true sign of appreciation. For my kids to one day say, ” Thanks, Mom. You’ve helped me be the person I am today by setting an example of how to be giving, loving and true follower of our Creator,”that would be a great gift of appreciation and that would be the Mother’s Day when I would truly feel that my troubles were far away.
(A special Thank You to my mom for setting a wonderful example!)
Proverbs 31
28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
My daughter received a really sweet gift from her teacher and a classmate before their Spring Break… the whole class did. It was a little basket and bag of Easter goodies. Just after my daughter showed it to me, she devoured everything…. chocolate first (just like her Mom), then she went for the other sweet things like Skittles, Starburst and all of those other fat-free candy. (Believe me, I know the way the whole sweets justification thing works… saying fat-free, regardless of the sugar content has some redeeming sounding value) .
I’m concerned that there may be a jelly bean bailout… Check out Wal-mart the day after Easter, see how many of those Reese’s eggs are left in comparison to the all of the jelly bean bags and you’ll see my concern.
sign means just that
The Prodygal Life 