A Mother's Day Gift

Today is Mother's Day.

It was never intended to be a Hallmark day of greeting cards, flowers and gifts.

Those are all nice to receive, however.

The concept of Mother's Day began in the late 19th century to birth a progressive political agenda  

leaning toward issues related to women's lives.

Radical Protestant women were the instigators.

 (Somehow "radical Protestant women" is a direct contrast to the image of 

quiet, knitting church ladies in long dresses and bonnets.)

In 1870, just following the Civil War carnage, Julia Ward Howe 

(think "Battle Hymn of the Republic")

expressed the dream of all mothers in the following

rousing prose:

"A Mother's Day Proclamation"

Arise then...women of this day! 
Arise, all women who have hearts! Whether your baptism be of water or of tears! 
Say firmly...
"Disarm! Disarm! 
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice." 
Blood does not wipe our dishonor, 
Nor violence indicate possession. 
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil 
At the summons of war, 
Let women now leave all that may be left of home 
For a great and earnest day of counsel. 
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. 
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means 
Whereby the great human family can live in peace... 
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar, But of God -

After having read this, can you hear the cry of her heart,

reflecting the heart of all mothers through ages?

What is this theme?? 

Peace and disarmament.

Of course!

It is the mothers who carry a babe within,

give birth, spend countless sleepless nights caring for    
and loving this child,

teaching, nurturing, healing, molding, shaping.

Worrying that goes on for years and years.

War is the direct opposite to her lifelong roles.

***************************

I now want to recognize my beautiful mother,

an honorable and gracious woman who has taught me 

so much through the years.

And continues to teach and advise me wisely.

A woman who loves God and her family.

Who prays daily, faithfully, for each of us.

A wonderful thing, to be prayed for!

Like a warm blanket draped over my shoulders

on a chilly night.

She is a loving mother who is loved in return.

By her children, children-in-law (Is that a word?),

grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

And to show her our love, we just may take her to one of her favorite places to eat--
the local Dairy Queen!