As Mother’s Day approaches, emotions rise—joy for some, grief for others, and deep reflection for all. For me, this time of year always stirs a tender mix of both celebration and sorrow. My mother passed away two days before Mother’s Day in 2016, and though her absence still gives mixed emotions, my gratitude for her life continues to grow stronger each year.
Whether you adored your mother, had a complicated relationship, or perhaps never truly knew her, there’s one undeniable truth: she gave you life. And for that reason alone, we have something to thank God for.
All my life, in one way or another, I’ve tried to live in a way that would make my mother proud. We didn’t always agree, and our relationship wasn’t perfect, but as I look back, I see a woman who gave everything she had to raise her children. Her sacrifices shaped me, her prayers protected me, and her strength inspired me—even when I didn’t recognize it at the time.
There’s no earthly substitute for a mother’s love. It is forgiving, enduring, and unyielding. A mother’s love is selfless and tireless, fierce and faithful—a reflection of God’s heart in human form.
So, today, I want to say this to every mother, everywhere: Thank you.
Those two simple words carry more weight than I can ever express. Thank you for your love, your labor, and your limitless grace. Thank you for the ways you’ve held families together, balanced countless demands, and carried burdens that no one ever saw. Thank you for your prayers whispered in the dark, your resilience in the storm, and your laughter that lights up every room.
God has placed something extraordinary within you—a divine strength that mirrors His nurturing heart. Through every sacrifice and sleepless night, He has equipped you to love like no one else can.
So, with a grateful heart, I say:
Thank you for leading your children by example and living honorably before them.
Thank you for staying up all night wiping your child’s nose without complaint.
Thank you for ignoring the numbness in your leg when it became your child’s pillow.
Thank you for cleaning up kitchen messes and comforting sick little ones.
Thank you for sacrificing your favorite meal so your child could have theirs.
Thank you for carrying a tired child even when your back ached.
Thank you for skipping meals to make room in the budget for your child’s dreams.
Thank you for coming home after long days and still preparing dinner with love.
Thank you for forgiving mistakes and welcoming prodigals home.
Thank you for staying home on weekends, for choosing family over fun.
Thank you for praying without ceasing.
Thank you for showing the world that a woman of faith can be both gentle and mighty.
Thank you for being strong—and for teaching us how to be strong, too.
Mothers, you are God’s masterpiece in motion—vessels of His compassion and courage. You are everything we hope to become: devoted, resilient, and full of grace.
So today, we celebrate you—not just for what you’ve done, but for who you are. You are a reflection of God’s enduring love, and for that, we are eternally grateful.
With a grateful heart,
Dr. Tony
