Joyful Mothers of Children!! (Psalm 113:9)

What a blessing today to spend time with my precious mother, Frances, this Mother's Day. Our family (at least those who still live in the area!) had a wonderful dinner at daughter Molly's house after church -- lasagna, homemade bread, home grown green beans and squash, salad, and lots of yummy desserts!

My mother has always been my role model and shining example of what a mother should be. Most of all, she has blessed me with a constant and consistent picture of godly, biblical womanhood. Through all the joys and sorrows of her life, she has lived out a consecrated walk with the Lord before her children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren. Her quiet confidence is always there, and her knowledge of God's Word is brought to bear in every situation. Many daughters have done virtuously, but she excels them all! I arise up and call her blessed. I love you, Mother. Happy Mother's Day!

Sweet daughter Beth and her family spent hours loading photographs for me onto 28 CD's!! What a wonderful, personalized Mother's Day gift! Beth is the joyful mother of 7 children -- number 8 is still in the oven, planning to make his/her arrival on July 11. What a blessing!

Sweet daughter Molly can always be counted on for something meaningful and green! Here, she and her family presented me with a wonderfully fragrant gardenia bush. It has several blooms already opened and is waiting for the rest of the gift -- Molly's expert help in placing and planting the bush at our house. Molly is the joyful mother of 6 children.

Sweet daughter Katie (Arkansas) and sweet daughter-in-law Ashley (Missouri) called to wish me the best of the day, wishing they could be here in person. They got together on the Missouri property for a cookout, with chef Jason doing the honors. Katie is the joyful mother of 8 children, and Ashley is the mother of Savannah, who is expecting a baby brother or sister in December!

What a blessing to have a family that honors mothers! The Bible says, "There is a generation that . . . doth not bless their mothers" (Prov. 30:11) When children are not taught to honor their parents, they will not honor God, and the end result will be the decay of the culture in less than a generation! What a good thing our traditions are, when they are based on the principles in God's Word. May God bless all the mothers who are striving to raise up the next generation in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Thank you, Lord, for my mother, and for the wonderful mothers my daughters have become.