My handmade Mother's Day card for this year uses the Stampin' Up! Retired List Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. I have loved this rubber stamp set for its great versatility and incredible beauty. Here, I have used the large rose image as my focal point with the "watercolor spread" technique. This fun technique combines heat embossing with watercoloring for a fun, quick technique that produces unique roses. No two are alike…just like real roses!
As this is my inspirational Sunday post on this special day to honor Mothers, I was privileged to share the Word of God with my church family this morning at Tower City Church. I delivered a message on motherhood, looking at 3 mothers in the Bible: Eve, Deborah, and the Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15). God calls us as women to not only deliver and raise our own children but also to "spread our wings" over others around us. Deborah is called a "mother in Israel." She didn't actually birth all of Israel, but she acted as a mother in her community, seeing the potential in others and spurring them into their God-given destiny.
I thank God for my own mother today as well as the wonderful mother my daughter is to my grandchildren. But I also look beyond my natural family and thank God for the women who have modeled godly motherhood to me, some from afar, some by books they have written, all with great wisdom. And I look to reach beyond my own family (as precious and dear as they are) to affect and influence others for the Kingdom of God. Judges tells us that Deborah "arose as a mother in Israel." I arise in my calling to "mother" many by caring, loving, nurturing, encouraging, and praying–as only a mother can–for those God brings to me. Let us, as women, arise into the great destiny God has for us, and help many others come into theirs as well. God has a plan for my life and yours; it's a good plan. Let's share that good news–that He has a good plan for those around us, as well. And let's help them find it.