I won’t get breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day

Posted by Marsha | 0 comments

I was at the grocery store on the day before Mother’s Day last year. It was late in the evening and I ran into a frazzled looking dad with two kids in tow. I must have had that mom-out-on-a-Saturday-night look because he stopped me and asked a question.

If you were to have breakfast in bed, would waffles and strawberries be enough or is bacon required?

I told him that breakfast in bed is a gift in and of itself, even if it were just a bowl of cereal. But bacon… ahhhh… bacon is always a bonus!  Dad, son and daughter then ran off to grab the bacon.

I felt kind of deflated inside after this discussion. I have never, ever been served breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day.  Why don’t *I* ever get breakfast in bed? When I was a child, we would make my mom breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day. Ugh, this shouldn’t bother me so much, should it?

Then the light bulb went off.

My husband was raised by his dad. His dad did a fantastic job as a solo parent and they have an amazing relationship.  So my husband was not with his mom on Mother’s Day morning to serve her breakfast in bed. How in the world is he supposed to model or inherently know this seemingly sacred of all gifts for the big M-Day without me telling him? Should he be able to read my mind? (Which is often followed up with the very mature: Well, if he doesn’t know then I’m certainly not going to tell him. Hmph.)

Okay, I need to stop that line of thinking in its tracks. Nothing like a holiday to make one feel entitled and disappointed. And bratty, let’s not forget about the bratty. Do I need some cheese with my whiiiiine?

Disappointment happens when I’m being selfish. Disappointment happens when I think of what I don’t have, rather than the GIFT of what I DO have! And disappointment happens when unrealistic or unclear expectations are not met. For me, it was the expectation of breakfast in bed. For others, it’s being swayed by those horrid diamond commercials. “He must not really love me if I don’t get that kiss that begins with K.” Or perhaps “your day” being ruined by fighting on the way to church Sunday morning (and I’m not talking about the kids either).

Hey mom, you do a great job serving your family all year long! It is a very high calling to be entrusted with little bodies and souls to raise for the Kingdom. Don’t ruin “your” day by being a baby.

Open your eyes and see how your family shows their love to you! Perhaps it’s just a big ole hug and smile with a sincerely said “Happy Mother’s Day, mommy. I love you!” Or that handful of yardflowers instead of florist flowers. Be thankful and let those gifts bless you.

For those of you who are spending Mother’s Day alone this year or missing someone that is close to your heart, you can still choose to be thankful too. You can still choose JOY. It is not easy, but it is possible. You, dear friend, were born and given the gift of life. You have a mother- even if you never knew her, even if she disappointed you somehow, even if she is no longer on this earth. And you have a Heavenly Father that loves you SO much, He gave His Son Jesus to die for you. You are special, you are important, you are loved. Happy Mother’s Day to you!

Marsha Drews is proud to be the Mrs. to David for 14 years. They have been homeschooling their rowdy boys in the Lone Star State for the past 7 years. When she’s feeling like a slacker, you can find her drinking coffee, reading a book and writing at her blog — and sometimes all at the same time! You can find Marsha at Other Such Happenings.