Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

I am Mike Whitmer, and I titled today's reading, Love Like Mom.

Juanita told her nephew about growing up during the Great Depression.

Her poor family only had apples

to eat, plus whatever wild game her dad might provide. Whenever he bagged a squirrel for dinner,

her mom would say, give me that squirrel head. That's all I want to eat. It's the best piece of

meat. Years later, Juanita realized there wasn't any meat on a squirrel's head. Her mom

didn't eat it. She only pretended it was a delicacy, so us kids could get more to eat,

and we wouldn't worry about her. As we celebrate Mother's Day tomorrow, may we also recount

stories of our mother's devotion.

We thank God for them and strive to love more like them.

In 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, Paul says he served the Thessalonian Church as a nursing mother

cares for her children. He loved fiercely, fighting through strong opposition

to tell them about Jesus and to share his own life with them. He worked night and day in order

not to be a burden to anyone while he preached the gospel of God to them. Just like mom.

Few can resist a mother's love.

And Paul modestly said his efforts were not without results.

We can't control how others respond,

but we can choose to show up day after day to serve them in a sacrificial way.

Mom would be proud, and so will our Heavenly Father.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from 1 Thessalonians chapter 2,

verses 1 through 9. You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.

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