Treasuring Memories: A Mother’s Day Reflection on the Journey of Motherhood

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19, 51)

As I sit quietly this Mother’s Day eve, finishing up my sabbath and watching my roses grow, I find my heart drifting back to moments that feel both distant and near. As I ponder all the Mother's Day past I tear up at the memories of the laughter of my girls filling the house, the sticky fingerprints on the fridge, the early morning freak apart session getting all of us out the door, and the late-night prayers whispered over their sleeping forms—these are the treasures I’ve stored in my heart, just as Mary did with her precious Son. Now, with my daughters grown and raising their own families, these memories wrap around me like a comforting, familiar quilt, stitched together with love, faith, and the grace of God.

Motherhood is a sacred calling, one that shifts and changes with each season. When my girls were young, I was in the thick of it—diapers, school projects, and endless questions about the world. There were days I felt overwhelmed, wondering if I was doing enough, loving enough, teaching enough. But in those fleeting moments—when they’d slip their tiny hands in mine or look up at me with eyes full of trust—I felt the weight of God’s gift to me. Like Mary, I tucked those moments away, not fully understanding their value until years later.

The verse from Luke 2 resonates deeply with me now. Mary, the mother of Jesus, watched her Son grow, witnessed His miracles, and bore the joys and sorrows of His life. Twice, Scripture tells us she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, 51). She didn’t always understand the path God had set before her or her Son, but she held each moment close, trusting in God’s plan. As a mother, I feel a kinship with her. Sometimes I didn’t understand why God entrusted me with these girls or how I’d navigate the challenges of raising them. Yet, in faith, I held onto the moments-the big and the small—knowing they were part of a divine story.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced significant shifts in her motherhood journey, as reflected in the Gospels. Her role evolved through distinct seasons, marked by unique challenges, joys, and responsibilities, much like the shifting seasons of any mother’s life. The biblical accounts, particularly in Luke, Matthew, and John, provide glimpses of these transitions, showing how Mary adapted to her calling as the mother of the Messiah.

Now, in this quieter season of motherhood, my girls are building their own lives, nurturing their own children. The house is still, but my heart is full. The memories I treasured have become my comfort, my joy, and my testimony of God’s faithfulness. I think of the Christmas mornings when we’d read the story of Jesus’ birth, their little voices stumbling over the words. I recall the tearful prayers when one faced heartbreak, the triumphant cheers when another crossed a graduation stage, the girls' trip to Florida to support one in her first college softball tournament, and the endless hours playing King of the Bed and Bedroom Baseball. These are my treasures, polished by time and prayer, shining brightly in my heart.

The Great Shift of Motherhood

Profound shifts marked Mary’s motherhood—from the miraculous birth of Jesus, to raising Him, supporting His ministry, enduring His death, and finally participating in the early Church. Each season required her to adapt, trust God, and treasure the moments she experienced, as noted in Luke 2:19 and 2:51. Her journey mirrors the evolving nature of motherhood, where love remains constant, but roles change with time. Mary's example offers comfort as a mother reflecting on her grown daughters: the treasures of the heart—moments of joy, sorrow, and faith—remain a source of strength, just as they were for Mary through every shift in her sacred calling.

I now find myself listening more and lecturing less, encouraging more and encroaching less, advising more and supervising less, having a heart of expectancy more and expectations less, being here for them more and doing for them less. It's different, but no less beautiful.

To the mothers reading this, whether in the chaos of raising little ones or in the stillness of an empty nest, know this: every moment you’re given is worth treasuring. The sleepless nights, the silly giggles, the hard conversations, the quiet hugs—they are all part of the masterpiece God is weaving through your motherhood. Like Mary, you may not always see the full picture now, but hold these things close. Ponder them in your heart. Trust that God is working through every joy and every tear.

This Mother’s Day, I’m reminded that motherhood doesn’t end when our children leave home. It evolves, but the love remains fierce and eternal, just as God’s love for us never wavers. My girls may be raising their own now, but I still pray for them daily, just as I did when they were small. I carry them in my heart, alongside the memories that sustain me. And I trust that, like Mary, I’m part of a story much bigger than myself—one written by the hand of a loving God.

So, to every mother, I pray you find joy in the treasures of your heart this Mother’s Day. May you see the beauty in the moments you’ve stored away, and may you trust that God is with you in every season of this holy calling. Hold fast to your memories, ponder them with faith, and let them remind you of the eternal love that binds you to your children and to the One who made you a mother.

With love and prayers,

A Mother Treasuring Still

Reflect:

• What specific moments from your motherhood journey—big or small—have you treasured in your heart, and how do they bring you comfort or joy as you reflect on them now?

• How have the shifts in your motherhood (e.g., from raising young children to guiding adults or becoming an empty nester) deepened your trust in God’s plan for you and your children?

• In what ways can you intentionally treasure and ponder the moments of your current season of motherhood, trusting that God is weaving a larger story through them?

  
  

Heavenly Father,

You who chose Mary to mother Your Son, I come before You with a grateful heart this Mother’s Day. Thank You for the sacred gift of motherhood, the children You entrusted to me, and the moments—both fleeting and eternal—that I’ve treasured in my heart.

Lord, like Mary, I have pondered the joys and sorrows of this calling, from the laughter of my girls to the quiet prayers over their grown lives. In this season, where my home is still but my heart is full, I ask for Your comfort and peace. Let the memories I’ve stored bloom like flowers, reminding me of Your faithfulness through every shift of motherhood.

For mothers everywhere—those in the tender chaos of raising little ones, those guiding young hearts, and those, like me, watching their children build their own lives—grant strength, wisdom, and grace. Help us treasure each moment, trusting Your plan even when we don’t understand it. May we hold fast to Your love, which binds us to our children and You, our eternal Father.

Bless my daughters and their families, Lord. Guide them as they nurture the next generation, and keep them close to You. Thank You for the story You’re weaving through our lives, a story of love, faith, and redemption. May I, like Mary, remain faithful in every season, always pointing to Your glory.

In Jesus’ holy name, I pray,

Amen.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts! What are your favorite treasured memories from motherhood? Share your reflections in the comments below - I'm excited to shre in your joy.

Here are three blog posts from www.amidean.com that share similarities withthis post, focusing on faith, reflection, and trusting God through life’s seasons:

Explore More on How to Shift from One Season of Life to Another

1. “Now: Joy in the Present” (Published November 3, 2021)

   • Summary: This post encourages readers to find joy in the present moment, emphasizing gratitude and a “windshield mentality” of focusing on God’s future possibilities rather than dwelling on the past. Ami Dean references the story of Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26) to caution against looking back and shares practices like keeping a gratitude list inspired by Ann Voskamp’s November Joy Dare. She highlights how God molds us in the “waiting room” of life, preparing us for His blessings.

     
     

2. “I Have Learned to Be Content” (Published October 12, 2021)

   • Summary: In this blog post, Ami Dean explores the biblical concept of contentment, drawing from Philippians 4:11–13, where Paul declares he has “learned to be content” in all circumstances, whether in abundance or need, through Christ’s strength. The post begins with a parable about a man who, despite losing everything financially, retains his faith, character, and salvation, illustrating that true contentment is internal, not tied to external circumstances.

These resources from Ami Dean’s blog, Live Bravely, can further inspire you to cultivate a heart that treasures.