A month or so ago, I received a very special gift from someone I do not know.  I had made some Lovies for the children that my husband, a lay minister, had baptized.  I also made a couple of extras for future baptisms (whether my husband performs them or not).

A week or two later, a lovely woman from his congregation sent me a card of thanks, saying that it took a special wife to support her husband’s congregation, even if that wife was not regularly participating in the services.  With that card was a gift card.  Both my husband and I were shocked to see how much this lovely lady had bestowed upon me.  What an amazing gift!

I put the card in my wallet, praying and talking to my family about how I should spend it.  Yes, there’s always bills to pay and groceries to purchase but my husband truly wanted me to use the card for ME, as that’s what the gift giver had requested.

This past weekend, I had figured out what I needed and went to purchase those clothing items.  But, I certainly didn’t spend as much money on my purchases as was available with the gift card.

Thus, the MOM in me felt that once I had purchased what I needed, the balance should be spent on our children for things they needed.  One daughter needed a dress, some sandals as well as some everyday tennis shoes.  Son needed some socks and under-things.  Another daughter really did not have any needs but she wanted some hair bows, so that’s what she got.  Oldest daughter, away at college, needed a few groceries.  All of these gifts were possible because of one very lovely lady.

No matter what gifts I receive, I always remember that I am a MOM first.  Some of the gifts I do keep for myself (eBook cards or quilt shop cards) but most other gifts of money or gift cards are spent on my children first.

Are YOU the same way, if you are a MOM?