¹I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
I am having a hard time with bitterness, anger, and jealousy. I offered to buy my child lunch yesterday to spend time with her on Mother’s Day. I stayed home from church so I could accommodate her work schedule. She slept late, needed to get to work. I asked her to come by after work. She was tired and wanted to go home. I asked her about dinner tonight. It’s her cousin’s birthday and there is a family dinner.
It was hard reading about everyone’s day yesterday. While I am happy for them, I am jealous. My heart hurts.
Kim, I’m sorry about that and I pray for you and BG.
But I also remembered that Mothers Day may be sad for some.
They mentioned mothers yesterday, and those who wanted to be mothers, but were not.
I thought about youngest GD who has two miscarriages. It must have been tough for her.
Yes, it can be a rough day for many. I was glad our pastor was a little better with it this year than most years. He can get carried away with praise for mom’s. This year he had one of the women, who lost her daughter after a lengthy illness during her early twenties, speak. The stress on God providing during a difficult time was a much better emphasis.
BG doesn’t treasure you now, Kim. She believes you will always be there for her. She is a self-centered teen. That will not always be so. Some day she may have children and her own issues and think back to how she treated you. For now, you have to be patient and forgiving; taking hold of God’s provision to do so.
In the long run, it is God’s approval that is most important. Praying for your hurting heart, Kim.
I saw this article last week, “Not Every Mother’s Day is Happy.” I hope you may find something in there that can bring you some comfort. Parts of it spoke to me, as I remember having had a disappointing Mother’s Day last year.
Kim – I’m not a violent person, but I want to slap somebody silly for you. Okay, BG is a teen, clueless to the fact that her mother is a real person with real feelings. But her father & grandmother should have taken her aside & strongly urged her to spend time with you.
Praying for God to comfort your aching heart, & to help you forgive them all (for your own sake). And I agree with Kathaleena, that the time will come when BG will appreciate you & want to have a good relationship with you. (My own daughters seem to be in between the clueless teen attitude & finally appreciating me. They haven’t quite gotten to the second part yet, I don’t think.)
Try to keep doing what you know is right, & try to take it all as graciously as possible, which I know may seem impossible at times. This verse comes to my mind…
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9, NKJV)
BG is at an age when it seems a lot of girls are hard on their moms. A new member in our Sunday morning ladies Bible study spoke yesterday of her four children, and it is her daughter who just turned 18 with whom she is having tremendous struggles.
I was not very nice to my mom during my teen years and into my twenties a ways. I remember talking to a mom whose children I babysat while I was in college. I told her that my relationship with my mother was rather stormy. I expressed some remorse about that to her (but not to my mother).
She understood, and without any hint of a you-better-shape-up-now attitude, she told me in all sincerity that she had been a rebellious teenager, especially toward her mother, but that her mom died when she (the daughter) was 17 years old.
She was still very much in rebellion at the time of her mother’s death, and, years later, when she mellowed out, she wished she had turned her attitude around and not treated her mom the way she had.
Her gentle and sincere hope she expressed to me was that my own relationship with my mother would improve while I still had a mother. (She didn’t say it exactly that way, but simply hoped we’d have each other long enough for reconciliation to occur.)
Her transparency had a profound effect on me, and, though she is not a Christian, her wise and loving admonition has stayed with me since then.
My mother and I get along well now.
BG is meeting lots of different people, and will continue to in adulthood. You never know who God will use to speak words into her life that can help foster reconciliation in her relationship with you.
I ended up getting sick again after the Mother’s Day dinner of steak and lobster. I am thinking it may be a shellfish allergy. The blessings, I was with my daughters who were concerned, I may have begun to understand this allergy, and I lost a pound or two.
To have someone be concerned for me, I can’t tell you what that means…
This is hard to say gently, however, that’s how it’s meant. Why get bummed over a Hallmark holiday?
And don’t think I’m saying that because I don’t know what it feels like. One of our sons has pretty much eliminated us from his life right now (he didn’t marry well and we are pretty sure she’s the problem, but who knows). At any rate, he DID call me yesterday and I’d just as soon he hadn’t – it’s superficial and doesn’t make up for being excluded the other 364 days and having no relationship with one of our granddaughters.
Shellfish allergies are fairly common, I think. Not fun — no allergies are. Glad your daughters showed their concern, Jo.
I was wondering if I ate something bad yesterday, too. I had one bout of diarrhea in the middle of the night last night. Fortunately I got to the bathroom on time, and not more than ten minutes later, I felt fine.
Puzzling that it didn’t last longer, which I would have thought food poisoning would, but I can’t imagine what else could have caused it, as I didn’t feel sick in any other respect before, during or after the episode.
I can be thankful that whatever it was, it proved mild.
Kim, I had many years of painful Mother’s Days (for a different reason than yours). In Chicago I used to volunteer in the nursery every Mother’s and Father’s Day; that way I figured I could avoid them and I could also bless someone else. We had several people in the nursery at that church, but it wasn’t extremely formal and they knew me. I wasn’t on the nursery rotation, but I would simply show up and say I know it’s Mother’s / Father’s Day, and I didn’t want to be in the service but I suspected someone in there was wishing she could be in the service, and if that was the case I was there to take her place. I saw a nursery worker’s eyes light up on more than one occasion, and sometimes I had people arguing with each other over who got to send the other one to the service when she wanted to go back herself after both had been bemoaning being in the service on the day her mother was in town visiting, or her very first Mother’s Day, or whatever.
The last three years, I’ve chosen not to let Mother’s Day be a disappointment, made myself realize that they are my daughters in my mind but it’s totally up to them when / if they honor me on Mother’s Day. My first and third years one daughter (different ones) acknowledged me by saying out loud “Happy Mother’s Day.” The second year, both were out of town at college, and it went by with no acknowledgment. Last year (I know now) they meant to, but forgot. One year I had foster kids two weeks before Mother’s Day, thought I would still have them on Mother’s Day but I didn’t, and the week before Mother’s Day I stood in church and cried while a friend hugged me. One year my sister sent me a Mother’s Day card, acknowledging that I have acted as “mama” to many children, even if none of them call me such.
But overall–I will be 48 next month, and yesterday was my first “Mother’s Day.” (As far as I’m concerned, by the way, it’s a date that people voluntarily choose to honor, or not. My sister chose not to have Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Valentine’s Day meaningful in their home; she sees them as pointless holidays. While I don’t see them that way, I do see them as days that a person can choose to honor someone they love, rather than being expected to do so. Probably your BG is awkward in her relationship with you right now, and didn’t really feel like being mushy. I’d try not to build your “expectations” around how she should act–don’t skip church to wait around for her, for example. It’s the Lord’s day more than it’s Mother’s Day!)
We are grateful for so many of you who have prayed for Dr. Sproul’s health in recent weeks. This morning he was taken to the hospital with suspected stroke complications. He underwent a successful angioplasty to remove the blockage in his cerebral artery. Dr. Sproul is alert and conversing with his family and the medical staff. We will update you further on Wednesday. Please continue to lift up your prayers on his behalf to the Lord.
What Linda said. Mother’s Day is a made up tradition that does not actually do what it is meant to do. Whatever that is. I try to ignore it but have a few children that like to do something, others just ignore it like I do. I tell them every day is mother’s day and mothers would have nothing to celebrate along those lines if it were not for husbands, parents, children, etc.
On another note: husband had his appointment today with the family doctor. The doc, the same who initially sent him to the RA specialist as the initial thought, no longer believes it is RA either or “If it is, it is the worst case I have ever seen”. He now thinks it is neurological and is sending him in for a brain scan. They took seven vials of blood. Prayer for wisdom and patience and endurance for him especially but also for me. Thanks.
This prayer thread has done my heart good. I, too, dread Mother’s Day. I have 2 wonderful children who love the Lord and love me and I really have nothing to complain about. Son phoned to wish me a happy day and daughter texted and had wished me a happy day earlier in the week. Mother’s day has always disappointed me in that other than a quick wish or card, there isn’t really anything special while all my friends get breakfast in bed, and flowers, and…
I also hate it when people ask specifically, “how was YOUR Mother’s Day” I never know how to answer…
I am thankful for my children and that they love me, but I spent the church service in the nursery (toddler room) and was very glad to do it.
I think next year I will need to boycott Facebook from Saturday morning until Monday night and then not go back and read old posts. I also need to not have ANY expectations.
Praying for those on this thread who have more reason than I do to not like Mother’s Day.
I don’t dislike Mother’s Day — and am very grateful for the mom God gave me for so many years — but it’s just not particularly relevant to me at this point so it tends to pass with my barely noticing it.
The gal cutting my hair this past Saturday asked at one point, “So do you have big plans for tomorrow?”
Huh? What’s tomorrow?
Took me a while to remember, oh yeah, Mother’s Day …. “Um, no,” I said laughing, “You?”
Wandering Views 
I am having a hard time with bitterness, anger, and jealousy. I offered to buy my child lunch yesterday to spend time with her on Mother’s Day. I stayed home from church so I could accommodate her work schedule. She slept late, needed to get to work. I asked her to come by after work. She was tired and wanted to go home. I asked her about dinner tonight. It’s her cousin’s birthday and there is a family dinner.
It was hard reading about everyone’s day yesterday. While I am happy for them, I am jealous. My heart hurts.
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Kim, I’m sorry about that and I pray for you and BG.
But I also remembered that Mothers Day may be sad for some.
They mentioned mothers yesterday, and those who wanted to be mothers, but were not.
I thought about youngest GD who has two miscarriages. It must have been tough for her.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it can be a rough day for many. I was glad our pastor was a little better with it this year than most years. He can get carried away with praise for mom’s. This year he had one of the women, who lost her daughter after a lengthy illness during her early twenties, speak. The stress on God providing during a difficult time was a much better emphasis.
BG doesn’t treasure you now, Kim. She believes you will always be there for her. She is a self-centered teen. That will not always be so. Some day she may have children and her own issues and think back to how she treated you. For now, you have to be patient and forgiving; taking hold of God’s provision to do so.
In the long run, it is God’s approval that is most important. Praying for your hurting heart, Kim.
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I’m sorry, Kim.
I saw this article last week, “Not Every Mother’s Day is Happy.” I hope you may find something in there that can bring you some comfort. Parts of it spoke to me, as I remember having had a disappointing Mother’s Day last year.
http://teachinggoodthings.com/not-every-mothers-day-is-happy/
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Kim – I’m not a violent person, but I want to slap somebody silly for you. Okay, BG is a teen, clueless to the fact that her mother is a real person with real feelings. But her father & grandmother should have taken her aside & strongly urged her to spend time with you.
Praying for God to comfort your aching heart, & to help you forgive them all (for your own sake). And I agree with Kathaleena, that the time will come when BG will appreciate you & want to have a good relationship with you. (My own daughters seem to be in between the clueless teen attitude & finally appreciating me. They haven’t quite gotten to the second part yet, I don’t think.)
Try to keep doing what you know is right, & try to take it all as graciously as possible, which I know may seem impossible at times. This verse comes to my mind…
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9, NKJV)
Comfort & blessings to you, dear sister.
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We can line up like they did in “Airplane” … 🙂
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BG is at an age when it seems a lot of girls are hard on their moms. A new member in our Sunday morning ladies Bible study spoke yesterday of her four children, and it is her daughter who just turned 18 with whom she is having tremendous struggles.
I was not very nice to my mom during my teen years and into my twenties a ways. I remember talking to a mom whose children I babysat while I was in college. I told her that my relationship with my mother was rather stormy. I expressed some remorse about that to her (but not to my mother).
She understood, and without any hint of a you-better-shape-up-now attitude, she told me in all sincerity that she had been a rebellious teenager, especially toward her mother, but that her mom died when she (the daughter) was 17 years old.
She was still very much in rebellion at the time of her mother’s death, and, years later, when she mellowed out, she wished she had turned her attitude around and not treated her mom the way she had.
Her gentle and sincere hope she expressed to me was that my own relationship with my mother would improve while I still had a mother. (She didn’t say it exactly that way, but simply hoped we’d have each other long enough for reconciliation to occur.)
Her transparency had a profound effect on me, and, though she is not a Christian, her wise and loving admonition has stayed with me since then.
My mother and I get along well now.
BG is meeting lots of different people, and will continue to in adulthood. You never know who God will use to speak words into her life that can help foster reconciliation in her relationship with you.
Praying as you wait on the Lord. There is hope.
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Thank you for the link 6Arrows.
Thank you all for the words of encouragement.
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I ended up getting sick again after the Mother’s Day dinner of steak and lobster. I am thinking it may be a shellfish allergy. The blessings, I was with my daughters who were concerned, I may have begun to understand this allergy, and I lost a pound or two.
To have someone be concerned for me, I can’t tell you what that means…
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This is hard to say gently, however, that’s how it’s meant. Why get bummed over a Hallmark holiday?
And don’t think I’m saying that because I don’t know what it feels like. One of our sons has pretty much eliminated us from his life right now (he didn’t marry well and we are pretty sure she’s the problem, but who knows). At any rate, he DID call me yesterday and I’d just as soon he hadn’t – it’s superficial and doesn’t make up for being excluded the other 364 days and having no relationship with one of our granddaughters.
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You’re welcome, Kim.
Shellfish allergies are fairly common, I think. Not fun — no allergies are. Glad your daughters showed their concern, Jo.
I was wondering if I ate something bad yesterday, too. I had one bout of diarrhea in the middle of the night last night. Fortunately I got to the bathroom on time, and not more than ten minutes later, I felt fine.
Puzzling that it didn’t last longer, which I would have thought food poisoning would, but I can’t imagine what else could have caused it, as I didn’t feel sick in any other respect before, during or after the episode.
I can be thankful that whatever it was, it proved mild.
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Linda – I was thinking about your situation yesterday, & praying for reconciliation.
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Thank you, Karen. As I pray for yours (and others) quite often.
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Thank you.
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Kim, I had many years of painful Mother’s Days (for a different reason than yours). In Chicago I used to volunteer in the nursery every Mother’s and Father’s Day; that way I figured I could avoid them and I could also bless someone else. We had several people in the nursery at that church, but it wasn’t extremely formal and they knew me. I wasn’t on the nursery rotation, but I would simply show up and say I know it’s Mother’s / Father’s Day, and I didn’t want to be in the service but I suspected someone in there was wishing she could be in the service, and if that was the case I was there to take her place. I saw a nursery worker’s eyes light up on more than one occasion, and sometimes I had people arguing with each other over who got to send the other one to the service when she wanted to go back herself after both had been bemoaning being in the service on the day her mother was in town visiting, or her very first Mother’s Day, or whatever.
The last three years, I’ve chosen not to let Mother’s Day be a disappointment, made myself realize that they are my daughters in my mind but it’s totally up to them when / if they honor me on Mother’s Day. My first and third years one daughter (different ones) acknowledged me by saying out loud “Happy Mother’s Day.” The second year, both were out of town at college, and it went by with no acknowledgment. Last year (I know now) they meant to, but forgot. One year I had foster kids two weeks before Mother’s Day, thought I would still have them on Mother’s Day but I didn’t, and the week before Mother’s Day I stood in church and cried while a friend hugged me. One year my sister sent me a Mother’s Day card, acknowledging that I have acted as “mama” to many children, even if none of them call me such.
But overall–I will be 48 next month, and yesterday was my first “Mother’s Day.” (As far as I’m concerned, by the way, it’s a date that people voluntarily choose to honor, or not. My sister chose not to have Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Valentine’s Day meaningful in their home; she sees them as pointless holidays. While I don’t see them that way, I do see them as days that a person can choose to honor someone they love, rather than being expected to do so. Probably your BG is awkward in her relationship with you right now, and didn’t really feel like being mushy. I’d try not to build your “expectations” around how she should act–don’t skip church to wait around for her, for example. It’s the Lord’s day more than it’s Mother’s Day!)
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Was yesterday Mother’s Day? 😉
Posted by Ligonier today:
Ligonier Ministries
We are grateful for so many of you who have prayed for Dr. Sproul’s health in recent weeks. This morning he was taken to the hospital with suspected stroke complications. He underwent a successful angioplasty to remove the blockage in his cerebral artery. Dr. Sproul is alert and conversing with his family and the medical staff. We will update you further on Wednesday. Please continue to lift up your prayers on his behalf to the Lord.
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What Linda said. Mother’s Day is a made up tradition that does not actually do what it is meant to do. Whatever that is. I try to ignore it but have a few children that like to do something, others just ignore it like I do. I tell them every day is mother’s day and mothers would have nothing to celebrate along those lines if it were not for husbands, parents, children, etc.
On another note: husband had his appointment today with the family doctor. The doc, the same who initially sent him to the RA specialist as the initial thought, no longer believes it is RA either or “If it is, it is the worst case I have ever seen”. He now thinks it is neurological and is sending him in for a brain scan. They took seven vials of blood. Prayer for wisdom and patience and endurance for him especially but also for me. Thanks.
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Dakotah is back home, but will have to be out of school for a while, while she continues to recuperate. Thank you for your prayers for her.
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This prayer thread has done my heart good. I, too, dread Mother’s Day. I have 2 wonderful children who love the Lord and love me and I really have nothing to complain about. Son phoned to wish me a happy day and daughter texted and had wished me a happy day earlier in the week. Mother’s day has always disappointed me in that other than a quick wish or card, there isn’t really anything special while all my friends get breakfast in bed, and flowers, and…
I also hate it when people ask specifically, “how was YOUR Mother’s Day” I never know how to answer…
I am thankful for my children and that they love me, but I spent the church service in the nursery (toddler room) and was very glad to do it.
I think next year I will need to boycott Facebook from Saturday morning until Monday night and then not go back and read old posts. I also need to not have ANY expectations.
Praying for those on this thread who have more reason than I do to not like Mother’s Day.
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I don’t dislike Mother’s Day — and am very grateful for the mom God gave me for so many years — but it’s just not particularly relevant to me at this point so it tends to pass with my barely noticing it.
The gal cutting my hair this past Saturday asked at one point, “So do you have big plans for tomorrow?”
Huh? What’s tomorrow?
Took me a while to remember, oh yeah, Mother’s Day …. “Um, no,” I said laughing, “You?”
LikeLiked by 2 people