Ann Jarvis did not live an exalted life. Her hands were busy in the mess of poverty and war.

In the mid 1800s, she founded Mother’s Day Work Clubs, where women could come together to improve sanitation for families and, ultimately, lessen infant mortality. Under Ann’s guidance, these groups were also advocates of peace, caring for wounded Civil War soldiers, whichever side of the battlefield they were on.

When Ann passed away, her daughter, Anna, led a movement to honor her. She wanted to create a day that would forever thank all mothers for their life-giving service to humanity.

It took eleven years, but in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the second Sunday in May the country’s official day to thank mothers.

Motherhood — parenthood — is often a thankless job. The one day a year that Mother’s Day comes is a reminder to us all to be thankful for the mothering people in our lives, and to tell them so.

God ultimately receives our thankfulness. When we give thanksgiving, we are really proclaiming that He is in charge, He is powerful, He is caring for us, and He is ultimately good. Being thankful for whatever good things we have, or the bad things we’ve avoided, brings God glory. He is our heavenly parent, after all.