Typical morning: happened to wake up late, mom had to get her daughter to school so decided to just grab something to eat on the way!
Pulling into the drive-thru, the voice on the speaker chirped, “Good Morning! What can I get you today?”
Just then, she realizes she left her purse! OH NO!
Scrambling for some spare change in the car console, she found just enough and ordered a biscuit.
Pulling up to the window, she hands over a pile of change, feeling embarrassed. Can we start this day over?
The girl at the window, with a kind smile, noticed her stress. “Is everything okay?”
She explained the hectic morning, the forgotten purse, and then… disaster struck again when her daughter piped up from the back seat, “Mom, you forgot my snack for school!”
Ugh, could this morning get any worse?! Shame crawled up the back of her neck and she felt her face getting flushed.
The girl at the window disappeared for a moment, then returned with an offering that humbled, cared for, and reassured her that it was going to be okay.
There was a little bag with apple slices, an orange juice, and an extra biscuit!
“These apples and juice are for your daughter,” she said “and the biscuit is for you, mama! You can’t forget about yourself.”
She was speechless. This stranger turned a chaotic morning full of failure and not measuring up into something she could handle.
I would say that this is a great example of a strong mom. You don’t get it do you? She didn’t have it all together, not even close. That’s true. But she did lean into the generosity of a stranger. And sometimes that is the strongest thing that we can do. Saying YES when help is offered takes a strength that is deeper than wanting to appear strong. It is actual strength that comes from a deep knowing of who you are in Christ. He really is the one who gives us the strength we need for mothering or any other challenge ahead of us.
Be encouraged this Mother’s Day that no matter how you feel, with Jesus walking along, you are a strong mom!
