Smell the Flowers

Earlier this week, when I picked Tristan up from school, he handed me a “flower” made from a colored egg carton slot and twisted pipe cleaners. I held it up to my nose and said, “I guess this means I should stop and smell the flower.” To which he promptly responded, “Yeah, it’s probably the marker that you’re smelling, it’s kinda good.” With a laugh, I explained to him that “to stop and smell the flowers” means to slow down and not move through life too quickly.

When it comes to life with young kids, slowing down often feels impossible. Their energetic little bodies just seem to move at the speed of light, unless you’ve asked them to put on their shoes!

While Mother’s Day often feels busier than it needs to be, its original intent was for families to slow down and acknowledge the sacrifices mothers make for their children. It’s a “stop and smell the flowers” kind of day.

So what does it look like for you to “smell the flowers” this weekend? It might look like coming to worship with your mom. It might look like choosing your outfit more carefully so you’re ready to take a professional photo with your mom (which you can do for free here at CGLC this Sunday!) It might look like a family gathering with good food, a long-distance phone call, writing a card or letter, or bringing your mom an actual bouquet of flowers. It may mean reflecting on memories of your mom, or memories of a child gone too soon, and asking Jesus to comfort you in those tender moments.

Whatever this weekend holds for you, our prayer is that you would slow down and invite Jesus, who dearly loved his own mother, into every part of it.

Have a blessed Mother’s Day,  
Britta