For Mother’s Day

While walking down the winding path through her garden one morning, a gardener stopped in excitement when she noticed a tiny blooming flower—a purple iris on a short stem.

Earlier that spring, the gardener had moved the flower out of a cluster of other plants, where it was sadly being choked out and hidden. She chose a spot along the path were the little iris would stand out to everyone who passed.

The iris was in full splendor, so the gardener bent down and breathed in the flower’s delicate beauty and the majesty of her lone blossom.

Then the gardener gazed around the flowerbed. A taller, equally majestic flower of another kind—in the same shade of purple—dotted her entire garden, causing this little iris to blend in, be lost, and seem insignificant. 

The gardener had failed at allowing the little iris to shine; her full potential would not be recognized. No one else walking this path would ever see this little flower, and all the wonder that it is, amongst the beauty of the entire garden.

But as the gardener looked down at the little, proud iris, she thought—I did.

I did because I know my garden, and I know ALL my precious flowers.

The story is the same for mothers. So many times you’ll feel as though you’ve failed, as if you go unnoticed for all the many menial tasks you do every day, that you’ll never reach your full potential.

You feel insignificant.

You are just a mom.

Your family takes you for granted.

Your children couldn’t possibly know all you sacrifice.

Rest assured, knowing that in the eyes, heart, and mind of your child, you are a super mom.

If you think they don’t notice or care about all the things you do, you’re wrong. And never forget that we have the grace of Him who DOES notice us and sees all that we, as mothers, do.

He knows that we CAN stand tall as he brings us to the edge of the path and lifts us toward the sun.

We can fulfill our potential.

We are mothers.

We have mothers.

And our daughters will be mothers.

We are that tiny, fragile flower in the Master Gardener’s hands.

“I see my mother kneeling with our family each day. I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray. Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears, and I am thankful love is spoken here.”

I know that a mother is a special person with unique and divine gifts.

I know that a mother prays for her children and gives her life for her children. I know that there is no greater calling.

I am a MOTHER.