The Mother’s Day Gift of Faith You and Your Kids Both Need

My kids think I’m hard to shop for, especially on Mother’s Day. And they’re not wrong. I don’t even really like gifts. Instead, I love a good brunch after church and a quiet hike in the woods together. No presents needed, except the gift of time. But, they still manage to sneak in handmade cards, and I treasure the sentiments written in them more than any store-bought gift I’ve ever received.

My daughters’ heartfelt scribbles are like growth marks on my door frame—moving from crayons to pens, from “Mommy” to “Mom.” So this year, I’m starting a new tradition—writing a letter to my children that nurtures their faith and reminds my family of God’s faithfulness.

What if, alongside the Mother’s Day gifts you receive, you gave your children a letter that tells them how God has shown up for your family this past year? This gift can become a written legacy of faith for your family.

God Calls Us to Look Back and Remember (and Share Stories with Our Kids)

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to remember His faithfulness. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, God instructed Joshua to build a memorial of twelve stones so that “in the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground (Joshua 4:21-22).

God knows memory strengthens our faith. But, in our fast-paced family lives, it’s easy to rush from one thing to the next without pausing to see God’s hand in our everyday moments. But when we take time to do that, we build our own stone memorials, tangible reminders of God’s presence leading our families.

In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Moses instructed: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Your Mother’s Day letter can become a way to fulfill this calling by sharing your faith through specific stories of God’s work over the past year.

Preparing Your Heart (and Your Space) to Write

Block off time on your calendar to slow down and think back over the past year. For me, it helps to light a candle, grab a cup of coffee, and turn on worship music. But you do whatever helps you feel still and centered. Start with a simple prayer like this: “Father, please help me remember the moments You were near. Bring to my mind the stories of Your faithfulness that You want me to write down for my kids.”

And, hey, your letter doesn’t need to be perfectly written (or even written at all). If it works better for you, voice record your thoughts while walking or in the car. Your words, spoken from the heart, are as meaningful as the ones you write down.

What to Say: Simple Prompts to Share Your Faith Story

I get it. As a writer, I stare at a blank page daily, often unsure how to begin. But, like me, you just need to get started. Let go of the idea of perfection. Your kids don’t need that. They just need your honest, authentic stories of God at work in your life. Try these prompts to get you started.

Answered prayers:
“This year, I prayed for _______, and God answered by _______.”
Whether it was healing from an illness, provision during a tight season, or clarity about a tough decision, sharing these moments helps your kids see that God listens and responds.

Spiritual growth through challenges:
“We faced _______ this year, and though it was hard, God taught us _______.”
Choosing to follow Jesus doesn’t erase difficulties (or lead us away from them either)! Instead, our faith in Him reminds us we’re never alone in the valleys. So let your kids see how God showed up in the struggle.

Character development:
“I’ve seen God growing _______ (patience, kindness, courage) in you when _______.”
Highlighting your kids’ spiritual growth encourages them and reinforces who God is shaping them to be.

Joyful moments:
“I felt God fill our home with joy when _______.”
These can be big celebrations or small, sacred moments—like laughter around the dinner table or that day you all ran in the sprinklers.

Your faith journey:
“God has been teaching me _______.”
When you open up about what God is doing in your heart, you model an authentic faith that grows over time. We never stop learning more and more about who God is and what it means to follow Him.

How to Adapt Your Letter for Different Ages

Whether it’s your first Mother’s Day or your 32nd, this tradition can grow with your children (or grandchildren) and become a spiritual keepsake they can forward.

For young children (toddlers through early elementary):
With young kids, keep it short and simple. Include drawings, photos, or even a little story they’ll recognize. Read it aloud at bedtime on Mother’s Day and focus on moments they can grasp: “Remember when we prayed for Granddaddy and Jesus helped him get better?”

For older children (upper elementary through middle school):
To encourage conversations and a deeper understanding of faith in practice, add questions like, “Where did you see God at work this year?” or “What prayer did God answer this year for you?”

For teenagers:
In your letter, affirm their growing independence while remaining their spiritual anchor. For example, “I’ve seen you wrestle with big questions this year, and I want you to know I’ve been praying for you every step of the way.” Share how you see God shaping their character and calling.

For adult children:
Your kids will never be too old for you to ground their hearts and minds in a legacy of faith. Write about how you’ve seen God’s hand in their lives, share your current prayers for them, and let them know God has been answering the prayers you prayed over them as little kids.

As the years go by, these letters become more than memories. They become like those stone markers of God’s faithfulness through seasons of joy, challenge, growth, and grace.