Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.
Ann Jarvis founded Mother’s Day Work Clubs in five cities to improve sanitary and health conditions. During the Civil War the women belonging to the clubs made it their business to treat the wounds, feed, and clothe both Union and Confederate soldiers with neutrality.
The modern holiday of Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908 when, two years after her mother’s death, Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia. She then began a successful campaign to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday in the United States. But by 1920 she was disappointed that the festival had become commercialized so she, with her sister Ellsinore, spent their family inheritance campaigning against what the day had become. Both died in poverty. According to her New York Times obituary, Anna became embittered because too many people sent their mothers a printed greeting card. As she said, “A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment!”
This gives us food for thought! How do you honor your mother?
Other countries adopted the festival, which is now celebrated worldwide, predominately on the second Sunday in May.
The wise man, Solomon, considered that a virtuous woman’s worth is far above the value of rubies. God has given wives and mothers the special privilege and honor to be the queen of their home.
“After they have done the best they can do for the good of their children, they may bring them to Jesus. Even the babes in the mother’s arms are precious in His sight. And as the mother’s heart yearns for the help she knows she cannot give, the grace she cannot bestow, and she casts herself and children into the merciful arms of Christ, He will receive and bless them; He will give peace, hope, and happiness to mother and children. This is a precious privilege which Jesus has granted to all mothers.” The Adventist Home, 274.
We remember a true mother in Israel, one who left a legacy of faithfulness to all who had the privilege of knowing her during her long and blessed life. This tribute can also be applied to faithful mothers everywhere.
A Tribute to Ruth Grosboll
You reached the age of ninety-three
A champion on the road of life.
You chose the straight and narrow way,
Through good times, and through strife.
But you hadn’t any inkling
Of the task you’d undertake,
When you’d venture out on life’s highway,
And the single life forsake.
It wasn’t very long before
A mother you became—
T’was then you knew that life for you
Would never be the same!
Your hands were young and tender then,
As you cared for family.
They baked the bread; they kept the home—
They did it lovingly.
They wiped the runny noses;
They soothed the bumps and scrapes;
They healed the many little hurts,
And baked the pies and cakes!
They mended many rips and tears;
Washed heaps of soiled clothes;
They sewed on countless buttons;
How many—no one knows!
They prepared so many, many meals;
Packed many lunches, too.
Each sandwich was filled with slices of love,
And wrapped in a blessing; it’s true!
You rose up early and stayed up late,
To care for your little flock.
You gave them a good foundation—
You built upon the Rock.
Yet, many a night you were awake,
With folded hands in prayer.
You wiped the feverish little brow—
To sleep, you didn’t dare.
Your hands gave love and comfort.
They were gentle in their quest
To help a friend, and share God’s love—
You always gave your best.
The years they came; the years they went;
Your hands grew wrinkled and old.
They were silent little witnesses
Of stories yet untold.
You strove to serve the Master.
Your dedication, we recall.
We hear your voice in our memories—
You stand so proud and tall!
You reached fourscore and ten—and more,
And the world is a better place.
You cared enough to touch the lives
Of many—by God’s grace.
We have courage for the future,
’Cause you’ve gone this way before.
We promise we’ll not fail you—
We’ll give our best and more!
To reach the coveted milestone
Is a blessing you received.
To live throughout eternity
Is the goal we must achieve.
Your children loved and adored you.
To this they will attest.
If they could tell you—I know they’d say,
“My Mom—She Was the Best!”– Jo Phelps –