Free Devotional – My Mother’s Day Gift

Almost ten years ago, after several decades of volunteering in nursing homes I wrote my first book on the subject. This is a bit of a specialized area, and no commercial publishing house was interested (understandably) so with the help of coworkers, my pastor and friends we published “Would You Do It For One?” through Kindle Direct Publishing. With various tweaks over the years and a few follow up volumes I thought I had preserved to the best of my ability the many experiences and lessons I had learned. Though I often floundered through the months and years of ministry, I came to depend more and more on God, as well as learn from plenty of mistakes!

The years from 2015-19 felt like smooth sailing, and then the Covid-19 pandemic came along and turned everything on its head. Thankfully after 15 months of complete shutdown, one by one the facilities reopened, but to a brand-new world, where much has changed. Though I procrastinated and listed lots of good excuses about why I shouldn’t write anything more, God continued to stir my heart, to get off my duff and get started on a new volume! So recently I began work on a new book and I would so appreciate your prayers for God’s inspiration, organization and grace. In the meantime, just in time for Mother’s Day, I am offering for free an eBook version of my 30-day devotional written for people living in long-term care as well as those still living home, with the assistance of friends and family. 31 Days of Hope will be available for free starting on Sunday (Mother’s Day) and the promotion will run through Tuesday of next week. (Just in case you are busy honoring a mom tomorrow!) There is also a Large Print Soft Cover Available. Have a Happy Mother’s Day to all you Mothers, both biological and spiritual and a blessed weekend to all.

Honoring Mom

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), Ephesians 6:2 ESV

My mom was smart, beautiful and a successful novelist, but she also battled with the unseen enemy of mental illness so writing about her has not been easy. Those who have never lived with someone with their own version of reality may never understand. But God doesn’t ask us to understand, only to love and honor her with more than just flowers.

So today thanks for a mom who was also fun and adventurous. Thanks that she taught me to stand up for the weak and to not be afraid of being different. Thanks for learning that commitment means never giving up even when no one else believes in you. Thanks God for my mom who I never understood but who loved me to the end!

Mother’s Day Hymns

This will be a Mother’s Day unlike any other at Nursing Homes around the nation. No special family visits, no taking mom out to eat or even bringing her flowers. In our community we will be able to do a drive by parade (Thank God the weather is nice). We will have signs to wave and we’ll honk our horns to honor all those moms now in isolation for almost two months. Here is a short video I made this week to send into the various homes where I used to be able to visit. God bless all of you moms out there. This is your special day!