Mother’s day is this Sunday here in Australia, so come & join me in a tea party, I do have coffee & other refreshments if tea isn’t your forté.
Today is open to all whom have taken on the role of mothering a child at anytime in their lives.
I would like to share a poem that my eldest daughter gave me many years ago.
It was a beautiful artwork she had done of hand sketched Australian native Flannel flowers bordering the poem on parchment paper & she had placed it in a frame for me on Mother’s day 1994.
Its colors are too faded now to include here in a photo but the message is still precious…
What is a Mother
It takes a mother’s LOVE to make a house a home,
A place to be remembered no matter where we roam,
It takes a mother’s PATIENCE to bring a child up right,
And her COURAGE & her CHEERFULNESS to make a dark day bright…
It takes a mother’s THOUGHTFULNESS to mend the hearts deep hurts.
And her SKILL & ENDURANCE to mend little socks & shirts…
It takes a mother’s KINDNESS to forgive us when we err,
To sympathize in trouble & bow her head in prayer…
It takes a mother’s WISDOM to recognize our needs,
And to give us reassurance by her loving words & deeds…
It takes a mother’s ENDLESS FAITH, her CONFIDENCE & TRUST
To guide us through the pitfalls of selfishness & lust…
And that is why in all the world there could not be another,
Who could fulfill God’s purpose as completely as a MOTHER!
By Helena Steiner Rice
There are many who have stepped up to the plate in a child’s life & been everything mentioned above to that child, nuturing them through the hard times, the good times & the messy times!
Whether you are the biological, adoptive, step, foster, grandparent or a family kin Mama to that child…
Mother’s day is for you to celebrate too!
Enjoy the memories of the good times & whether you see these little or big ones now or not.
Know that you made a difference in that child’s life & rest assured God hasn’t forgotten the love, sweat & tears you poured out for them!
You’re welcome to linger awhile & enjoy more cups of inspiration, there’s plenty of food for thought to choose from!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or
In Prayer
© 2018 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All rights reserved. Photo on Pexels.com
Tea With Jennifer, living Grace one day at a time... 
A beautiful poem to treasure Jennifer. Happy Mothers Day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Brigid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Helen Steiner Rice was a favorite poet of my mother’s. Always good stuff with her. Good thoughts here. It is always noteworthy that if we are open and available to the Lord that He sends others beyond any biological children we may to nurture and care for their hearts, offer wisdom and nudges to move off a path going in the wrong direction. I received 3 Mother’s Day cards from women like that yesterday who are not my children. (My children were in touch with flowers and a lovely book.😊) Hope your Mother’s Day is beautiful in every way as you reflect God’s heart to so many.💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Pam for your words of affirmation! How lovely to receive love & recognition from those ladies for the support & love you gave! And your children!
I have had a nice mother’s day too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Mother’s Day! What a beautiful poem💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankyou Pam! Hope you enjoyed your day too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Mother’s Day to you too. My grandchildren woke me up with an early morning phone call serenade of greetings. I thank God for all the substitute mothers who filled the gap for me allowing me to become a loving mother and now grandmother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds lovely Elizabeth!
LikeLike
What a beautiful and precious gift🌸 Happy Mother’s Day! Hoping your day brought heartwarming memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes a lovely restful day thank you, how did yours go?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice🌸 Beautiful sunny day and time with my favorite child (he’s an only child😉…well, grown man now😁). Thank you for asking💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds lovely, it was raining, cold & windy here lol! Its our Autumn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a beautiful poem. I have always enjoyed her poetry.I hope you have had a lovely Mother’s Day. My youngest son took me out for dinner tonight and it was lovely! Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #InspireMeMonday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Gayl,
Your time with your son sounds perfect!
Blessings to you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this! What a treasured gift that was and is, Jennifer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely treasured! Lovely to have you drop by!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem! Motherhood has so many facets–it’s hard to put into words all that it means, but the poet did a wonderful job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree Anita, Helena was very gifted in the way she used words to describe such topics…Beautiful!
LikeLike
So glad you highlighted all those words that describe traits. They don’t come easy, for sure, but they do come by grace, and I’m thankful for progress made over the years–and for the awareness that I’ve got a long way to go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They were already highlighted Michele so I can’t take credit for that, I think Helena herself may have done that or my daughter. I will have to check. We are all works in progress as Mamas aren’t we…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m just now realizing you’re from Australia! Wow, isn’t it neat that we can connect from so far away?! Sometimes the internet can be a good thing. 😉 What a lovely poem and keepsake to have, from your daughter! Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m an Australian & it is definitely wonderful to be a part of this world blogging community! I love how we can connect across the miles!
A very previous poem & especially the love behind it…most of all!
LikeLike
Happy mother’s day Ma’am. Lovely poem too. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Whitney!
LikeLike
Mothering is most definitely the most growing and stretching job I’ve ever had. Second only to step-mothering I think!! Thank you for your reminder that God doesn’t forget all the struggles!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He doesn’t, yes I am both a Mum & step Mum… it is so important to be constantly seeking God’s wisdom as we do the job of mothering for Him in whatever capacity He has given us!
Lovely having you visit Sue!
LikeLike
Oh, what a spectacularly beautiful celebration! And what an encouraging tribute to motherhood. I pray you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a quiet one this year as I wasn’t well on the day but I heard from everyone, which is important to me…
LikeLike
Happy Mother’s Day. We celebrate in the states in May. I loved the poem. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLInkup this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mary, it is lovely.
LikeLike