happy mother’s day!

I hope all the mothers have had a super-special mother’s day today!  We’ve had a lovely restful day; well, the 6am start possibly couldn’t be described as ‘restful’…but all the sweet handmade gifts that accompanied it certainly helped!

A picture of me by Jasper (this is what I look like when I’m woken at 6am, hah!)

A fabulously colourful pasta necklace and a painted tile, also by Jasper.  The gorgeous handprint bird card up the top, and the paper mosaic candle holder by Toby completed my little mountain of gifts!

We had a beautiful clear autumn day today – bright sunshine and a really cold breeze, just perfect for a play in the autumn leaves!

We even found some green shoots poking their way up past the autumn leaves.  We’ll have to come back again later to see what blooms…

In between the gifts and the play in the park, we read the following passage at church this morning:

“A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honour her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Proverbs 31:10-31

Strength, generosity, empathy, willingness to work, dignity, humour, wisdom, faith…the picture of the wife and mother given in Proverbs 31 is an amazing one!  There is so much in these verses, but I particularly love the emphasis on mothers working “with eager hands” to support their families.  Mothers’ work can be hard, tedious, and unrelenting.  It can feel like all the time and effort you expend to keep the family functioning goes unnoticed and unrewarded.  But even if it feels like this ‘in the moment’, your faithfulness and care is valued immeasurably and results in outcomes far beyond what can be seen now.  I know my mother’s heartfelt prayers and unwavering support have been instrumental in making me the mother, the wife, the woman I am today.  I am so grateful for her faith and her eagerness to pass her love for God on to me and my little family.  We love you, Mum!