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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Glen A Hinshaw
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Joe Herman
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Anonymous
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Randy Limbird
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No Matter What, I Love You Every Day: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers and Robert G Cerling
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Mental Maps: a faith based story on love from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
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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
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Being a Better Parent....One Week at a Time...in February 2021
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Resolving the Past: 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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Being a Better Parent....One Week at a Time...in January 2021
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Working With -- Not Against -- Life Seasons: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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Ruben Fierro as told to Maria Luisa Navarro
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Ruth & Boaz, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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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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Double Minded Doggie: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
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In Praise of Naps: tips from the Parent Powerline
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Becky Cerling Powers
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Grandpa Thure Cerling, Part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Grandpa Thure Cerling, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Becky Cerling Powers
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Honest Abe Lincoln: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Glen A. Hinshaw
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Becky Cerling Powers and Lee Merrill Byrd
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No Parking: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Becky Cerling Powers
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Ruby Bridges, part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Becky Cerling Powers
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Joey's Letters: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Paula Kortkamp Combs
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New Bride Confusion: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Amaris Luz, Light from Darkness: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Lee Merrill Byrd
4/28/2020
Losing Poetry: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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David, Bathsheba & Psalm 51: a faith based story story from the Story Powerline
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The Hundred Chart: math lesson tips from the Parent Powerline
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4/8/2020
The Beer Would Call Me: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Beatriz Balcort as told to Becky Cerling Powers
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Turned Around: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Brian Bolton with Becky Cerling Powers
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3/24/2020
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No Complaint Dinners: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
3/10/2020
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Jennifer Cummings
3/5/2020
A Brother's Love: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Janimarie Rowe as told to Becky Cerling Powers
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Jennifer Cummings
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2/13/2020
Cantaloupe Crop Disaster: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen Hinshaw
2/5/2020
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Paula Kortkamp Combs
1/22/2020
How the Camel Got His Hump: a retold faith based story
Becky Cerling Powers
1/13/2020
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Laura Jane Cerling
1/9/2020
All Things Bright and Beautiful: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers, poem by Cecil Frances Alexander
1/7/2020
One Dollar for a Donut: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
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Zechariah
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Laura Jane Cerling
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Rami Scully
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Néaouguen Nodjimbadem
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Becky Cerling Powers
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Becky Cerling Powers
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The Love & Diaper (Nappy) Connection
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Avon Perfume Surprise: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/22/2019
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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
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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
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When Life Goes Up in Smoke: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen A. Hinshaw
8/20/2019
