To know what is the best Mothers Day present for your mum - read below... the best present I have given my mum? - Is ME!

Let me explain - my dad left before I was born. Mum already had two girls to a previous marriage. She was left to raise us alone & took us to a farm promising community support. It turned out in many ways to be a cult. Needless to say it wasn't very nice - and I hated nearly every minute of it.

I blamed my unknown father, the cult - and my mother for what I went through & what I felt. I also developed a deep belief that there was no god or at least if there was one - he/she was a total mongrel to allow certain things to go on. Anyway - these beliefs, attitudes & victim mentality fast developed into a full-blown rebellion against authority & all things 'right'

I started doing everything I could that was bad - and got into some very bad habits. Now my mother and step dad both knew God and saw what I was doing to myself. I would rarely come home before 4am & when I did I was not in good shape if you know what I mean. Drugs & alcohol had firm grip on me. I now know why they were often awake when I returned - they were asking god to protect me. And boy I can tell you a few stories about miraculous things that happened - I should be dead over & over & over. Of course I had no concept of god existing let alone caring.

For years they loved & supported me but eventually asked me to leave. I hated my mum for this at the time but now know that by asking me to leave they saved my life.

For years they would try to keep contact & visit me. they would come into my house - set up like a pub, walls covered with pornographic material & slogans against the police etc and visit me.

Well, as can be expected with my lifestyle & background I decided to kill myself. I had everything I wanted drugs, alcohol, girls, money etc - but I hated life. So I left on a trip to end my life in peace. But yet again my mum was praying. To cut a long & very interesting story short, God grabbed my attention, prooved He was real and showed me He cared. he saved me from death and drugs & alcohol instantly. He healed by back. And He helped me start to work on relationships that I had neglected and damaged for years. Jesus Christ set me Free!

I'm not trying to say that everything is perfect or that everything that has happened between my mum & I is just water under the bridge - but we can talk. And we have worked through some of the issues & been able to forgive each other.

Now I am happily married with 3 kids (3,2 and 8months) and I see my mum every week. We have talked about past things that are painful & although it is a slow process we are on a journey.

Her best gift is the same as the best I can give my wife - it's Me! Being there, being interested, caring about her for who she is. Probably the hardest thing for a male to do.

See guys God has Created us as human BEINGS - not human doings. But we find it easier to be a human doing. We work & get the money & buy something as a gift - or do breakfast in bed or something - nice gestures...yes do them - but give more...BE.

This is what I will try to do this year - BE with her. And help my 2 boys & girl BE with their mum. Yes I will do the practical things so she doesn't have to like breakfast & dishes etc but the goal is to BE!

For many this is nearly impossible - you have to face failures & pain to BE - but remember if Jesus helped me (and BOY HE DID!) He wants to help you too. Ask Him.

Now to see what your wife / mum appreciates....look at her love languages. See the article LOVE TALKS - MONEY WALKS!

To sum up what I remember it states 5 languages that are common for a lot of people:

1. Quality Time
2. Physical Touch
3. Gift Giving
4. Acts of Service
5. Words of Affirmation

What is your mums? Does she always buy presents? Does she touch / hug a lot?
If someones love language is:

1. Spend time with them. Talk be interested, go for a walk be there. BE
2. Hugs & touchs (not gropes with your wives guys!) - kiss your mum!
3. gift giving it doesn't have to be money presents in fact often it means more to get a hand written note saying I love you left in a meaningful place. I have left notes saying thankyou for always filling up the toilet roll - and it means HEAPS!
4. Take out the rubbish - clean the bathroom - do the dishes this can mean the world to some people!
5. Get rid of sarcastic humour - as this effects everybody but especially people who have a high proportion of this language. Tell your mum I love you - thankyou for everything you have done - encouragement is vital to all and greatly appreciated by these people.

They are simple - but will help you communicate love to your mum / spouse etc.

These relate to almost everybody - as well as yourself. And they also relate to God - he communicates to you through your own love language. Listen to Him - He will help you become a more complete human BEING - Remember He Created you & even became one for you. Thankyou Jesus!

You are the Best Gift - and Jesus helps you become you!

Happy Mothers Day to all you mums out there - and a huge thankyou on behalf of all the boys like me who would be dead without your love, support & prayers. My prayer is that Jesus delivers your son so he can appreciate life & you. Keep it up & get your love & support from Jesus - He will never let you down. He holds the keys to life & death. God Bless.