A Mother’s Day Message For Mom
Embracing Intentional Motherhood
Mother’s Day is almost here! I wonder how you are feeling about that right now. Does it get you excited or give you pause?
Mother’s Day is a beautiful reminder of the privilege and gift God has given YOU to be a mom, but it can also be a hard day.
For several years in a row, I spent my Mother’s Day on the soccer field. The Ohio State Cup tournament final was always on Mother’s Day, and our son’s teams were usually in the finals.
People used to ask how I felt about that. To be honest, I LOVED it. Watching my children in their activities always gave me joy. We always squeezed in a special meal, and their teams usually won, so that was a bonus Mother’s Day gift.
Mother’s Day often comes with an abundance of emotions—joy, sadness, gratitude, regret, exhaustion, excitement, and sometimes unmet expectations.
Whether you are celebrated with breakfast in bed and all your children surrounding you, you find yourself doing dishes and stressed getting everyone ready for church, you are on the soccer field, or you are an empty-nest mom whose children are not nearby, this day holds space for reflection, connection, and intentionality.
Today, I want to encourage you to pause and reflect—not just on what your children give you this Mother’s Day, but on the gift of motherhood in and of itself.
As the day approaches, look for the blessings of your motherhood journey, the gift of every ordinary moment, and give praise to God for it all.
Motherhood Is A Calling
Motherhood is not just a role; it’s a calling and a privilege—one that God has entrusted to you. God chose YOU to be the mom of your children. Ponder that for a moment. How cool is that? He knew your gifts and He knew your struggles, and HE paired YOU perfectly with your children.
Intentional motherhood means living with purpose and direction as you raise your children. It’s making conscious choices that align with your values, faith, and a biblical worldview, even when it’s hard. It’s leading by example and apologizing when you mess up.
What does that look like practically?
- Taking time to pray over your children daily
- Setting routines that nurture connection, not just productivity
- Modeling the character of Christ in both your strengths and your shortcomings
- Keeping your eyes on the long game—raising adults, not just managing kids
Practicing Presence Over Perfection
“You don’t need to be a perfect mom. You need to be a present one.”
This past weekend, my husband and I took a day and walked through one of our favorite places, Longwood Gardens. It was beautiful.
The spring flowers were in full bloom. We took our time and walked along the paths and through the woods, and meandered through the stunning conservatory.
It was a beautiful spring day, and we relished in every beautiful gift from God. Flowers are a blessing to me, and I love how the beauty and intricacy of each bloom point me to God.
I made reservations for Longwood Gardens a couple of months ago. When I made them, I knew it would be during a time I would want to take advantage of a free weekend to plant and work on our yard, but I did it anyway. The bloom time is not that long, and I didn’t want to miss it at its peak.
I am a doer and a worker. Can anyone relate? In the past, I might have pushed aside fun for work. However, I am working on being present rather than perfect. And by perfect, I mean getting my flowers in on time and getting my to-do list completed.
I urge you to consider your to-do list and examine whether this is a practice you might need to implement as well.
Hang on, though! Before you throw away all your to-do lists, there is a balance. Work needs to get done, and play and taking in God’s beauty are equally important. Make sure you are finding time to do both. Take the time to savor the beauty, be still, and reflect on all God has given you.
Let’s Talk Expectations
If we’re being honest, Mother’s Day can sometimes feel like a setup for disappointment. We imagine how it should look—rest, pampering, sweet gestures—but reality often looks like spilled milk, dirty dishes, and a last-minute grocery run to get your own cake…LOL
For my empty nest mamas, Mother’s Day can be hard. I see you and I feel your heart because I’m where you are. If your children have all flown the coop and are living independent lives and have families of their own in other cities like ours, this could be a sad day for you.
Here’s your gentle reminder: You’re not alone. Many mamas feel the same way. I have two very dear friends who are spending Mother’s Day this year without their kiddos. I have been there and I’m sure I will be again in the future. You might be feeling a bit sad as the day approaches.
Unmet expectations can rob us of joy. So instead of holding tightly to what this day “should” be, release those expectations and choose gratitude for what is.
Look For Blessings
- A toddler’s sticky kiss
- A teenager’s “I love you, Mom”
- A moment of quiet to sip coffee with your husband (for my empty nesters)
- A FaceTime call with your children and grandchildren
I treated myself to a pedicure yesterday, and it was delightful. It lifted my spirits, and I always feel better about myself when my toenails are painted and looking pretty 😘.
A sweet friend who calls me her “mentor mom” took me to lunch and treated me to the most delicious meal and delightful time.
Perhaps you could do something extra special for your mom. This Mother’s Day, we will be visiting our daughter and her family in New Hampshire, so I made time yesterday to spend a little time with my mama. I brought her flowers, a Starbucks Iced Mocha, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Honestly, it blessed me as much as it blessed her. I wrote her a sweet card, and she read it like three times while I was visiting with her. Doing something for others is a way to lift your spirits and give yourself a boost in your day.
My cup was full from these little Mother’s Day endeavors.
Fill Your Cup Mama
Speaking of filling your cup, God never intended for you to run on empty. You ARE worthy of rest—not because you’ve earned it, but because He designed you for it.
Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s stewardship. It’s filling up so you can pour out on your beautiful family who loves you and needs you, even if they don’t always say it verbally.
Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.”
We need to care for ourselves so that we can serve God and serve others better. That is what we are put on this earth to do.
This Mother’s Day, think about one simple way you can nourish your soul:
- Take a quiet walk
- Read Scripture just for you
- Journal your thoughts and prayers
- Connect with another mom who encourages you
- Get a pedicure
- Read a novel
- Treat yourself to your favorite coffee
Even 10 minutes of intentional time can reset your heart.
Stay Off Your Phone
It’s easy to get on social media and see what others are doing and get into your head. Don’t do it, Mama. Stay off that phone this weekend and be present with your family!
Remember, comparison is the thief of joy. Satan will swoop in and steal that joy. Keep your head up and be full of gratitude, no matter what your circumstances. Gratitude will change your attitude. See my post Change Your Attitude With Gratitude
Count Your Blessings
Motherhood is made up of a million moments—some hard, some holy. And in between the tantrums and the to-do lists are glimmers of God’s faithfulness.
Today, pause and take inventory of the blessings:
- Who are you becoming as a mom?
- What are your children teaching you about God’s love?
- How has the Lord shown up in the ordinary days?
Write them down. Say them out loud. These are the moments that will carry you when the days are long.
Final Encouragement
Mother’s Day is a celebration of you, yes—but it’s also a moment to re-anchor yourself in the purpose God has given you. You are seen. You are called. You are loved.
So here’s my prayer for you today:
That you would feel deeply loved—by your Creator, by your family, and by the purpose you walk in daily.
That you would walk in grace—for yourself and others.
And that you would find peace not in a perfect day, but in the presence of the One who called you “Mama.”
If you are looking for a deeper dive into being an intentional mom at home, you are in the right place! Don’t forget to check out my course, Intentional Motherhood & Home. It is a 5-module experience designed to help you bring intention into your daily rhythms, cultivate a Christ-centered home, and build lasting, heart-connected relationships with your children.
For more like this, subscribe at the top or bottom of this page to join the journey of intentional motherhood & home.
Happy Mother’s Day today and every day, Mama 🌷
RELATED POSTS:
17 Easy Ways To Be An Intentional Mom At Home
