I remember the day my mother and I surprised each other with an Avon perfume sample. In my memory the incident happened in the summer, and I was about eight years old. That meant my mother would have been pregnant with my brother Roy, her fifth child.
The Avon lady’s visit
I was playing dolls at my friend’s house when the Avon lady called. My friend and I watched the sales presentation, and the Avon lady kindly offered us each a perfume sample.
I was thrilled. A sophisticated, grownup lady’s gift! I could give it to my mom! I was so excited, I left my friend and ran home.
Planning to surprise my mom
In my mind, I rehearsed the way I would present this special gift. First, I would find my mom working somewhere in the house. (She was always working.) Then I would keep the perfume hidden behind my back while I sang a song I had learned. Then I would hand her the perfume. She would be astonished. Her eyes would light up, and she would put the perfume in her dresser drawer. Then she would wear it on Sunday when she dressed up to go to church.
Giving the gift
So I found my mother, as planned, and told her I had a surprise. She laid aside her mending to give me her full attention, while I hid the gift behind my back and sang my song:
“Because I love you, Mother Dear,
Each day I’ll try to be
As gentle, loving, good and kind
As you always are to me.’’
With a flourish, I handed Mom the perfume.
The surprise was on me
She burst into tears.
I was horrified.
“Why are you crying?’’ I asked.
She just cried more.
Finally she said, “Honey, I don’t feel like I’ve been very gentle, loving, good or kind lately. I feel like I haven’t been the mother I want to be for my children.’’
Mom’s gift
What a gift my mother gave me with her tears that day! Children see their parents as godlike, but that day my mother let me see how human she was. That day my mother let me look straight into her soul, to see how much she longed to get her mouth in sync with her heart, how much she yearned to match her attitudes and actions with her desire to love her children well.
And I felt so beloved! I felt so cherished!
What Jesus said
Two thousand years ago, Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’’ (Matthew 5:3 NIV).
This is a truth of the spiritual realm, a mystery that I experienced that long-ago day when I gave my mother the Avon perfume sample. For when Mom revealed to me her poverty, she made both of us rich.
Today’s prayer
“Dear God, help me to see and admit my lack so that I can reach out with empty hands to receive Your supply. Amen.”
© Becky Cerling Powers 1998
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Insights and Reflections for Parents in February: from the Parent Powerline
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Family Conflict, Family Struggles: reflections on spiritual warfare, beginning
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in January: from the Parent Powerline
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Neighborhood Yeast: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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12/27/2021
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Christmas Contentment: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in December: from the Parent Powerline
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Golden Rule Respect: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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11/12/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in November: from the Parent Powerline
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Enjoying Money Without Spending it: insights from the Parent Powerline
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10/14/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in October: from the Parent Powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in September: from the Parent Powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in August: from the Parent Powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in May: from the Parent Powerline
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Mental Maps: a faith based story on love from the Story Powerline
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Putting Myself in the Love Chapter: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Reading to Babies: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/5/2021
Being a Better Parent....One Week at a Time...in February 2021
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2/1/2021
Resolving the Past: a faith-based story from the Story Powerline
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1/22/2021
God Sets the Lonely in Families: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Keep Trying: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Hooray for Mother Goose! Parenting Insights from the Parent Powerline
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1/5/2021
Being a Better Parent....One Week at a Time...in January 2021
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1/2/2021
Working With -- Not Against -- Life Seasons: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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12/28/2020
Why Play With the Kids? parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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12/21/2020
Breaking Barriers with Kindness: a faith based Christmas story from the Story Powerline
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12/10/2020
Shoe Shine Boy: a faith based Christmas story from the Story Powerline
Ruben Fierro as told to Maria Luisa Navarro
12/4/2020
Slow Down for Christmas: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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12/1/2020
Ruth & Boaz, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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11/12/2020
Ruth & Boaz, Part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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11/9/2020
Enemies No More, Part 2: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
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Enemies No More, Part 1: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
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10/28/2020
Double Minded Doggie: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
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10/22/2020
The Father's Blessing: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
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10/13/2020
Dad's Green Packard: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
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10/10/2020
Hill of Woman's Fidelity: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Becky Cerling Powers
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In Praise of Naps: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/28/2020
Music Enriches the Family: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/10/2020
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Becky Cerling Powers
8/21/2020
Parenting in the Mess: Tips from the Parent Powerline
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8/16/2020
Grandpa Thure Cerling, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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8/4/2020
Grandpa Thure Cerling, Part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
8/4/2020
Temptation: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen A. Hinshaw
7/23/2020
TALK: A Simple Way to Help Kids with School: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
7/21/2020
Honest Abe Lincoln: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Randy Limbird
7/14/2020
The Most Conscientious Hunter I Ever Met: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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6/24/2020
Washing Feet: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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No Parking: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/10/2020
Ruby Bridges, part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/3/2020
Ruby Bridges, part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/2/2020
Raising Fluent Readers: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/29/2020
Unwanted Baby: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Family Funnies: Tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/22/2020
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5/21/2020
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Paula Kortkamp Combs
5/13/2020
Amaris Luz, Light from Darkness: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Lee Merrill Byrd
4/28/2020
Let Kids Cure Their Own Boredom: Tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/15/2020
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Paula Kortkamp Combs
4/9/2020
The Hundred Chart: math lesson tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/8/2020
The Beer Would Call Me: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Beatriz Balcort as told to Becky Cerling Powers
4/7/2020
Turned Around: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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4/2/2020
Elijah & the Captain of 50 Men: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Becky Cerling Powers
3/31/2020
Fear in Residence: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
3/24/2020
Household Management During COVID-19 Time: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
3/23/2020
Dreaming of Anita Jo: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
3/12/2020
No Complaint Dinners: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
3/10/2020
DIY Plumbing: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Jennifer Cummings
3/5/2020
A Brother's Love: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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My Two Dads, part two: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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2/26/2020
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2/25/2020
Grandma's Apron: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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2/20/2020
Colors of the Beetle: a retold faith based story from the Story Powerline
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2/13/2020
Cantaloupe Crop Disaster: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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2/5/2020
Afraid to Sleep at Night (Psalm 91): a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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1/22/2020
How the Camel Got His Hump: a retold faith based story
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1/13/2020
Growing Up With Polio: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
1/9/2020
All Things Bright and Beautiful: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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1/7/2020
One Dollar for a Donut: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
1/1/2020
Star of Wonder
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12/26/2019
The Shepherds
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12/24/2019
Mary and the Angel
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/18/2019
Zechariah
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/17/2019
Christmas Cookies: a a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
12/10/2019
First Thanksgiving, Part 2: Beginning in Weakness (a faith based story)
Rami Scully
11/28/2019
First Thanksgiving, Part 3: Gifts & Gratitude (a faith based story from the Story Powerline)
Rami Scully
11/28/2019
First Thanksgiving, Part 1: Enduring the Sea Voyage (a faith based story)
Rami Scully
11/27/2019
Rescuing my Family in Wartime, Part 3: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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11/22/2019
Rescuing my Family in Wartime, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Néaouguen Nodjimbadem
11/19/2019
Rescuing my Family in Wartime, Part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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11/12/2019
Grandma Time: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Jennifer Cummings
11/1/2019
The Love & Diaper (Nappy) Connection
Becky Cerling Powers
10/25/2019
Avon Perfume Surprise: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/22/2019
Saving Butterscotch: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Karen M. Pickett Ward
10/16/2019
The Patient in Room 116: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
10/8/2019
Belshazzar: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Paula Kortkamp Combs
10/2/2019
My Mysterious Relative & the Missing Paycheck: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/26/2019
Keeping in Touch with Cousins: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
9/24/2019
How the Ostrich Got His Long Neck: a faith based retold story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Becky Cerling Powers
9/9/2019