More Than Gifts: Through Sacrifice and Love | A Mother's Day Reflection

Mother's Day Celebration

A mother is very special to each one of us. They are one of the most precious gifts we have in life. As the Bible says, they are the ones who clothe us, prepare our meals, and take good care of us. Yesterday, May 11, 2025, we celebrated Mother's Day—traditionally held every second Sunday of May—as a way to show our deep appreciation for them.

Before we express our heartfelt appreciation to our beloved mothers, Pastor James took a moment to speak and offer gratitude from the bottom of our hearts—on behalf of all sons, daughters, granddaughters, even nieces and nephews. He also reflected on the words shared earlier by Pastor Jose, who read from Proverbs 31:10–31, which beautifully describes the character and virtues of a mother.

As a daughter, I don’t have much to give my mother—no fancy flowers or dinners at nice restaurants—because I’m still a student. But even though I can’t afford grand gifts, I know I can still do meaningful things to show her how much I appreciate and love her. For now, my support, respect, and effort matter most. I believe that one day, when I have the means, I’ll be able to treat her to good food and give her the comfort she truly deserves—just as she cared for and nurtured us from the moment we were in her womb until now.

At church, we had a beautiful celebration to honor all the mothers. Special thanks to Ate Jean for her creative touch—she customized pens and notebooks and helped organize other thoughtful gifts. Together with her husband and niece, she also designed a simple yet elegant backdrop with flowers and lights for our photo session. Thanks to their camera and the help of our church photographer, we were able to capture memories to treasure forever.

The Sacrifices of My Beloved Mother

Since I’ve started writing, I want to highlight some of the sacrifices my mother made for us. When my sister and I were in elementary school, my mother did everything she could to provide for us. She took on any kind of sideline job just to meet our needs. I remember the hardest time—having just lugaw (rice porridge) for breakfast and unripe bananas for lunch because we didn’t have rice. My mother even had to borrow rice from my grandmother, even though it was against her will. At that time, my father was very irresponsible and lazy. He didn’t work and expected his parents to support us, which led to a lot of hardship.

Because of this situation, I had to stop school for a year—and it almost became two. Thankfully, I was saved by my aunt who supported me with a school allowance and food. In return, I served my grandparents at home, helping with whatever they needed. That period was the biggest sacrifice I will never forget in my life.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MAMA! ♡♡
captured by @stillsandmotion care off Figues Family ♡

A Heartwarming Celebration
This weekend, I wasn’t at home—I stayed at our senior pastor’s house from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. After our church service, we went to a nearby restaurant close to Nanay Ladia and Pastor Jose’s place to have lunch together.

We ordered a “Combo 2” meal that came with French fries, sinigang na baboy, pancit, and refreshing green juice. The food was delicious, and we had a great time bonding, even though the upstairs area where we ate was quite hot—but that was my choice, and I have no regrets. 😄

Another reason for our gathering was to spend time with Maryknel, a former youth member of the church from 2023. Her aunt took her to Cebu to study 9th grade, and now that it’s vacation, she came back to visit. Sadly, she’s returning to Cebu on Tuesday after the election, even though school hasn’t started yet. So we made sure to enjoy this precious time together.

But wait—there was a twist! We weren’t just four at the table. We were joined by Sarah, Jinebibe, Shane, and Daniela—our fellow youth members. Sarah is also Nanay Ladia’s best friend. We took selfies at the table and had great conversations, despite the hot weather. A huge thanks to Nanay Ladia for treating us to lunch and the super delicious, ice-cold halo-halo afterward!

We wrapped it up with some final selfies—well, “groufies”—and everyone looked happy and satisfied after our meal. We waited an hour for our food, but it was worth it. Once we were full, we all felt like heading home for a well-deserved nap. 😴

This is Nanay and Pastor Jose—our godparents. I am truly blessed and thankful for their lives; they have been a constant blessing to us.

That’s all about my Mother’s Day celebration. I’m looking forward to the day I can give more to my mom—take her out, spoil her, and return the love and care she’s always given us. Overall, I had a wonderful day with amazing people, overflowing blessings, and joyful memories that I will cherish forever. In the end, I’m simply grateful—for the godly examples, the quiet sacrifices, and the unwavering love of those who’ve shaped us. People like Nanay and Pastor Jose remind us that true blessings often come in the form of faithful hearts and humble lives. May we honor them not just with words, but by carrying forward the same love, wisdom, and faith they’ve shown us.

See you on my next blog, can't wait to share my new experiences with nature here, soon!
Thanks for stopping by :)