Meet Cheryl Barker, a fellow blogger, author, and sweet friend who has written a truly beautiful and practical book for mothers of a bride. For your chance to win a signed copy of her book, Mother of the Bride—Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride. please follow the instructions at the end of her guest post. Here’s Cheryl:
As women, we all face seasons when we need extra prayer support. Whether we’re starting a new job, going back to school while raising our families, handling life as a new mom, facing illness, or balancing the needs of our aging parents and our kids, certain times of life find us needing the prayers of our friends and family in increased measure.
One of those times—the Mother of the Bride season—commences as soon as our darling daughters get engaged. Yes indeed, mothers of the bride need prayer. And they need it on a regular basis throughout the wedding planning months.
Most mothers of the bride are not event planners by trade, yet they find themselves helping plan the biggest events they’ve ever planned in their lives. The increased demand on their time and energy along with the regular stresses of everyday life creates a huge need for prayer that many of us may not be aware of unless we’ve lived the MOB role ourselves.
The Bible tells us that “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIV), and this principle certainly applies to mothers of the bride and their need for various kinds of support—prayer included. When tasks are piled higher than the ceiling and anxious feelings creep in, mothers of the bride need to know that not only are they pouring out their hearts to God about their challenges and fears but that others have their backs in prayer as well.
While helping plan my girls’ weddings, I regularly asked my sisters, my mom, and my best friends for their ongoing prayer support. After all, during the months of wedding planning, mothers of the bride need wisdom for a host of decisions. In addition, MOBs need God’s blessing in finding the best deals available, and they need his help in securing all the items they need to make their little girls’ dreams come true. An MOB also needs prayer for physical and emotional stamina as well as for handling any tension that comes up with the bride and groom or others involved in the wedding in any way.
And sometimes an extra need for special prayer may unfold. An MOB you know may be hit with a family crisis in the last few days or weeks before the wedding. Or one of the vendors may go out of business at the last minute. Or maybe Wedding Weekend is upon her and she’s feeling anxious and in need of peace.
That kind of general unease hit me a couple of days before my daughter Kelli’s wedding so I called on my good friend Teri for the extra prayer support I needed. It helped just sharing my fears with someone. And she was happy to help during such an important time in my life.
Let’s be the kind of friends and family who stand ready to help the mothers of the bride in our lives. Let’s offer that prayer support they need. Let’s ask God to strengthen them for their many tasks, to be their ever present rock and provider, and to bless them with wonderful wedding celebrations. Let’s have their backs!
“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant . . .” Nehemiah 1:11a NIV
*Along with prayer, what else might we do to help mothers of the bride?
GIVEAWAY INSTRUCTIONS: For your chance to WIN a SIGNED COPY of Cheryl's beautiful book, please leave a comment AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL. I will randomly select and email a winner on Monday, October 3.
NOTE: If you are reading this post via email, please CLICK HERE , then CLICK ON "MY BLOG" to leave your comment. Email comments are not entered into the contest. Offer valid only in the continental U.S.
Cheryl Barker loves to refresh spirits and nourish souls. She is the author of Mother of the Bride—Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride. You may find her inspirational blog, her Mother of the Bride Blog, and info about her book at cherylbarker.net. More info about her book can also be found at MotheroftheBridebook.com/. Cheryl would love to connect with you via the social media buttons on her website as well!
14 comments:
I am in awe of God at this moment. Our daughter just got engaged this weekend and this morning I get your email about your book Mother of the Bride. God is so amazing! Thank you for remnding me how much I need my sister's in Christ praying for me the next few months as we plan the second most important day in Alyssa's life. The first being the day she was saved. I will definitely need wisdom and prayer, as I am not a planner. Thank you again for reminding me. God's blessings!
What great timing - my daughter is not only getting married this coming June but also finishing nursing school this year....so yes, it is all falling on me I love helping and planning but I do know I NEED God to rely on! Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have this as my daily reminder to rely on HIM. (meyfamily@verizon.net)
I have not been in these shoes, but know several who have been, and are! What a wonderful way to share God's love with some that may not know His peace! Thank you for this opprotunity Cheryl and Julie! :)
bobbie.todd@lsr7.net
Patsy, I'm thrilled to hear how God brought this info to you today at just the right time. He is indeed amazing! Many blessings to you and your daughter as you plan and work together over the next few months. May God bless you all with a wonderful wedding celebration!
Would love to share this with my co-worker, the current Mother of the Bride to be. Planning is our profession but it never gets easier especially when it's your own :) naneiland@gmail.com
Leslie, how exciting that your daughter is getting married next June! Hope all goes beautifully and God blesses you with tons of great memories in the making in the coming months.
Bobbie, yes, I'm so hoping that this book will help point women who don't know the Lord to Him. And you're right, this will make a perfect gift for all women who are or will be mothers of the bride. Thanks for keeping it in mind!
Naneiland, what interesting insight that even though you're a planner by profession, it's still not easy when it's your own. It's a different ballgame then, isn't it? Good luck to your co-worker who is a mother of the bride!
Thank you for sharing and a great giveaway. Would love to share this with my sister.
Candyd285@yahoo.com
Candy, sounds like your sister may be an MOB. Good luck to her and blessings to you both!
I am not the MOB, but our son just got engaged to a sweet young lady is the only girl in her family and this would be a great gift for her mother. I am praying that our two families will become one big family in the LORD!
Paula, this is a GREAT gift idea for the mother of the groom to give to the mother of the bride! Such a sweet way to connect with her and build your relationship. All the best on the upcoming wedding!
My daughter is getting married this coming June, would love to read this.
Renee, good luck on your daughter's upcoming wedding! You have a wonderful adventure together ahead. I hope you get a chance to read my book and I hope God blesses you mightily through it!
I have three daughters, so I am sure that this book will come in handy. I would be honored to win a copy. Thanks for all you do.
Jolene Fincher
fincherwfg @ gmail.com
Jolene, you'll definitely need this book with three daughters! Lots of fun ahead! Good luck! :)
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