One of my absolute favorite holidays is just around the corner…Mother’s Day! 

It’s a day I am overcome with gratitude at the God-given gift of my three children and my own mother. 

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to take loved ones for granted. Dedicating time to focus solely on your mom sends the powerful message that you value and cherish her presence. 

This time of year, stores conveniently place bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolates and limitless Hallmark cards right at their entrances. It’s as if they’re shouting, “HERE! BUY THIS NOW SO YOU CAN CHECK OFF THE MOTHER’S DAY GIFT!” 

While I’m sure every mom appreciates receiving these traditional gifts, I would argue that the greatest gift you can give her is your time, love, and undivided attention. For moms, feeling seen, heard, and appreciated by their children brings immeasurable joy and fulfillment. 

Today I want to share some thoughtful and meaningful quality time gift ideas to consider for this Mother’s Day:

A shared workout experience

Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and spend quality time with your mom, and what better way to do that than by incorporating a fun and energizing workout together?

Not only will you both reap benefits from physical activity – including improved cardiovascular health, strengthened muscles and bones, and better mental well-being – but you’ll also create lasting memories. 

The fitness videos my mom and I have done together are some of my all time favorites. I often find myself smiling and laughing remembering these moments. 

Check out this 10-minute video for an experience that is…as my mom says…FABULOUS!

Time in the Kitchen

Creating a homemade meal together is another wonderful way to show your mom how much you appreciate her.

Not only will you be giving your mom your full attention and presence as you cook, but you can also enjoy eating the homemade food together. If you make enough you might even be able to send her home with leftovers. See, it’s the gift that keeps on giving! 

For over 600 delicious and nutritious recipes, check out the Faithful Workouts Cookbook and use the filters to find ones tailored to your mom’s preferences. 

A high-protein dessert I like to make on holidays are Nut Butter Cookies. This recipe is especially great since it requires limited ingredients and yields about 20 cookies. 

Whichever meal you choose to prepare, the most important thing is to enjoy the process of cooking and soak up the time together! 

Scripture Discussion

Engaging in a scripture discussion with your mom is a meaningful way to connect spiritually. Here is a simple process to help facilitate a thoughtful and uplifting conversation: 

• Choose a Meaningful Passage: On Mother’s Day, you might choose a scripture passage that speaks to the theme of motherhood, love, or gratitude.
  • • Proverbs 31: 10-31 is commonly referred to as the “Virtuous Woman” passage, which describes the virtues, strengths, and the various roles a woman of faith fulfills in her family and community.
    • John 15:1-17 is where Jesus emphasizes the ultimate expression of love: laying down one’s life for others. 

• Reflect: as you slowly and attentively read the passage, pay attention to any phrases or verses that stand out to you or evoke a strong emotional response. Think about how the passage applies to your life and circumstances. Reflect on ways you can incorporate its teachings into your thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, and relationships.

• Share personal insights – Encourage open and honest dialogue by sharing personal insights and reflections inspired by the scripture passage. For example, you might discuss how the passage has influenced your understanding of motherhood. You could also share any spiritual experiences or revelations that have deepened your appreciation for mothers. 

• Pray Together – Please do not skip this step! After you and your mom open your hearts to one another, you have the INCREDIBLE opportunity to respond to what you’ve learned and experienced through prayer. Offer gratitude for the insights you’ve gained, ask for strength and guidance to apply the passage to your life, and invite God to continue speaking to you as you seek to grow in faith and understanding.

This Mother’s Day, let’s shift our focus from material gifts to the intangible yet priceless gift of quality time. Whether it’s a few hours or an entire day, let’s make the effort to prioritize our moms and create meaningful moments that will be cherished far longer than a single day.

After all, in a world where time is fleeting, the gift of our presence is the greatest gift of all.