During the month of May and in honor of Mother’s Day, I want to give you a piece of advice about women: “Don’t mistake a woman’s soft side for weakness.”

Women have so many roles. It is confusing sometimes the many ways we swap hats just in a day: lead companies, support, protect, mother, love, lift, correct, add, repair, do our jobs, encourage, be a partner, teach, create.

Don’t mistake a woman’s soft side for weakness. Mother’s Day musings.

I have survived a great deal of tragedy and personal loss and have come out stronger, so don’t underestimate the power of a woman who has endured. Looking around me, I see women in my life who are incredible, conquering daily foes while raising children and grandchildren, leading churches and companies.

We have so many demands on our time and energy and yet we manage to still bring strength, kindness, and softness to the world.

Be advised, we are mighty and won’t tolerate the back seat.

Personally, my greatest strength has been revealed in recovering with more determination, and living with faith without becoming bitter, because there is always someone who has endured more tragedy.

To be both soft and strong, powerful and vulnerable is truly the superpower of womankind. 

Mother’s Day calls to attention the blessing in your life of the person who brought you into the world or is/was your acting mother. Who mothered you? That mother, grandmother, or aunt who bandaged your knee, took you to school also stayed up with you when you were sick and tried to provide the best care she could. There is so much strength is giving comfort when you are exhausted or sick yourself. Women who truly “mother” are great at that. That softness when you need it most is like a big lap to climb into even when you are grown up. However, should anyone think joy or softness makes women weak, look out. When someone mistakes my kindness and compassion for weakness, they get a big surprise.

I am resilient, empathetic, stubborn, and soft, yes. But weak? Just try me. I may get knocked down, but when I come up, I will be swinging.

Mother’s Day is the reminder to acknowledge the strength and softness of your mom. Treat her with respect. Treat her like a powerful woman.

Verbally acknowledge her contribution to your life.

Physically go where she is or send her a card. At the least, call her and tell her the ways she has impacted you as you got older. It is not easy to raise children or even give birth.

If she is no longer here, do her the honor of being a great legacy or a great parent yourself. Mother’s Day is our reminder of where we came from.

Let’s acknowledge the worth of motherhood with giving mothers the respect that is deserved. 

Moms are the softness and strength in this world. My final thoughts? Honor your mom and dad.

From Shutterfly: “The Bible consistently asks followers to honor and love their mothers. Examples of this can be seen in Exodus 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother,” and Leviticus 19:3, “Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father.”  

Happy spring and Happy Mother’s Day month.

Barefoot and writing, 

Kim

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Mother’s Day