“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 30:29 (ESV)

I got a visit from my mother this Mother’s Day. As we pulled out of the garage on our way to church Mother’s Day morning, Mom waved to me from the iris bed at the corner of the house.

The thing is, she’s been gone for nearly 35 years—resting in the bosom of Abraham in the angelic kingdom.

Before you pronounce me nuts, let me explain. My mother resides in my garden through the plants I’ve installed to remember her by. In late April, when my snowball viburnum blooms, I see her smile at the giant snowball flower ‘bow’ I placed on a Mother’s Day gift to her when I could find no ribbon in the house. In early May, the scent of lilacs wafts up from the bushes at the end of my patio to the balcony deck, filling my senses with her signature lilac perfume.

 

In July, my orange, triple-layer day lilies burst into bloom all over the yard. No matter where I look in my garden, from July through August I see the day lilies she carried from house to house and even boxed up and sent to me when I lived in the southwest. I planted them and they bloomed in December, which was a glorious sight for a homesick daughter.

This Mother’s Day, one perfect iris, also originally from her garden, bloomed, and waved in the breeze to me. I don’t ever remember these flowers blooming on Mother’s Day. Where they are planted they normally bloom in mid-May. And because our spring has been cold and full of frost warnings, I expected this year’s blooms to be even later this year.

It isn’t only Mom’s flowers that make me think of her. I’m reminded of her every time I accomplish something new, because she always told me I could do anything I set my mind to do. I only had to work at it. I’m reminded of her whenever I get or give an honest compliment, because she always praised me for a job well done. I’m reminded of her when I’m tempted to speak unkindly or gossip, because she always admonished me to never say anything about someone that I wouldn’t say to their face.

But most of all, I’m reminded of her in matters of faith. Whenever I open the Bible, I can see her sitting in our living room, her feet tucked beneath her in her easy chair, reading God’s Word. I’m reminded of her when I praise God, because she, and my father, took me to church whenever the doors were open and made sure I knew the Lord. She instilled her faith in me, and  “…a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 30:30 (ESV)

This year make sure you tell your mother how much you love her, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day. Give her the praise she deserves. And if you can’t find something to praise her for, look harder, because every mother needs to know she’s loved by the children to whom she gave life. Our time here on this earth is short and unpredictable, so don’t waste an opportunity to express your love and thankfulness.

A Mother’s Day Surprise (© Catherine Hershberger 5/10/21)

About the Author:

Catherine is a member of Greendale First Church of Christ. She is also an award-winning author of sweet and inspirational romance under the pen name of Catherine Castle. Many of her devotions have appeared on various places on the internet. You can find her books on her Amazon Author page or at Barnes and Noble.