mother's day

today was mother's day. i am sure that many mother's were treated to many wonderful things. i know i was. toast and coffee in bed with many sweet notes from my wonderful children, a homemade picture frame from my youngest daughter, and an amazing comment on one of my recent posts on my blog from my sweet husband was just the start of my wonderful mother's day. a great message from my pastor about seeing and believing that i am highly favored by God with all the capabilities of living my life in the fullness of His power manifesting in me as i raise my children because i am who He says i am, added to the blessings of my day. lunch with my wonderful family and visiting my mother-in-law to bless her just topped it off. it was a wonderful day for me. yet, i am sure that many moms were disappointed today because of the unmet expectations they had yearning in their hearts for approval and acknowledgement from their children or spouse. this used to be the case with me on many occasions.

sometimes, special days, such as mother's day or birthdays bring a hint of sadness and disappointment in the hearts of the one's expecting to be honored because the day that they had dreamed up in their mind was not lived up to in the experience of their day. expectations can destroy us. they can keep us from enjoying the daily moments and blessings of our life and cause us to dwell only on our lack seen in our crushed, conjured up dreams. of all the times that i can think of where i have had preconceived ideas or expectations of an event coming up in my life, i can't seem to remember one time where i did not end that day without some kind of sad disappointment in my heart wondering why such and such did not say something to me or buy me a gift. then, ususally, i would see or hear of others receiving the kind of day that i was expecting or hoping for and that would make it worse. but, it was actually in those frustrating times of thinking that i deserved more than what was given to me that God showed me that i was looking for validation and praise from someone besides Him, thinking that i should be doted upon for something that He did in and through me anyways.

after several disappointing times in my life, because no matter what anyone would have done for me it could not have met my expectations, i began to turn to Him for my validation as a wife, mom, and child of God. He tells me that i am a virtuous woman, i am more valuable to Him than rubies, He sings over me with joy, and He thinks about me and desires to bless me all day, everyday. when i allowed His opinion to matter the most, i could then appreciate every other word of honor and blessing that came from others too without thinking, "that was nice. it is about time they acknowledged that in me and showed me some appreciaion for it." because they weren't the substance to my worth anymore, they are just confirming what my Father had already planted deep in my heart, i could actually enjoy any affirmation of thankfulness in whatever measure it was given.

so, now i can enjoy every birthday and mother's day because i am not expecting those days to show me my worth. i am not thinking that someone should make me feel really loved, special and appreciated in any certain way on those days. i already know the truth, i am loved, special and appreciated by the One that matters most. that brings me such deep satisfaction even if no one else but God and i recognize that. so, when others recognize and confirm what i already know is true because of the pursuing love of God, it is just an added bonus of another blessing from Him. if no one else notices all i do in loving and caring for my children, He does, because He is the one Who guides and empowers me to do what i do in the first place. (Isaiah 40:11)