A Mother’s Day Gift You’ll Love to Give: I Love You, Mom by Blythe Daniel and Helen McIntosh
The day my sweet baby boy says, “Mama” for the first time, I’m probably going to form a puddle of joyful tears. For now, I’ll settle for his happy vocalizing.
Words have power, don’t they? Yet we often take for granted how precious they are. The simple words, “I love you,” can make such an impact. That’s why I think today’s featured book is one you will love to give this Mother’s Day.
Last year, I introduced you to Blythe Daniel’s and Helen McIntosh’s book called I Love You, Mom. This year, I’m so happy to be sharing it with you again in time for Mother’s Day. This mother-daughter duo penned beautiful affirmations of love and expressions of encouragement for the moms in our lives. I hope you enjoy this interview with them and pick up a copy of their book for the women who have shaped your life.
Author Chat with Blythe Daniel & Helen McIntosh
Q: What inspired you to write this book together?
Blythe & Helen: We realized there were so many unhealed places in the mother-daughter and mother-son relationship. We wanted to provide another tool to help moms and children give and receive love. Moms are looking for ways to leave a legacy to the generations below them – and we are calling this a “legacy of love.”
Q: What is one of the experiences or lessons learned from your own mother-daughter relationship that helped shape this book?
Helen: During my own mother’s chemotherapy journey years ago, I was led to give her/make her a journal with many scripture verses. I chose the ones I knew would encourage her. Our book I Love You, Mom has some of those same elements: 25 verses with 25 stories. We hope it will encourage moms with words of affirmation from God and from the stories we share to show Mom that she is a treasure!
Q: Why is your book appropriate for mothers of all ages, whether they’re caring for young children, dealing with an empty nest, or welcoming grandchildren?
Blythe & Helen: It’s appropriate for all ages because moms come in all packages and all of us experience, at some point: pain, loss, joy, hope, and there is no age limit or requirement. Scripture is ageless and we believe God’s Word is for anyone, anytime, any age and will not return void when it’s shared. This book really is a gift or like a greeting card that says so much more than our own words can at times. It’s written for the mom to read as she sees fit to receive encouragement and to know that the person who gives her the book really does care for her.
Q: I love the idea of a book dedicated to showing appreciation and love for our mothers, who do so much that often goes unnoticed. What would you say to the overwhelmed mom who is just trying to get through the day?
Blythe & Helen: The book is filled with gratitude, which so refreshes the weary heart. The word gifts in each of the 25 devotions are meant to be grabbed and scooped up by moms needing “just a word” for the weary body! If a mom is just trying to make it through the day, hopefully she will see that other women, like us, have experienced many of the same emotions and stories. And beyond that, women in the Bible give us great perspective for what we are going through as moms and we highlight a few of these. The goal is for Mom to feel that she is making a difference, and even when it seems like her child may not remember, we as children will!
Q: What is your prayer for the moms everywhere who read this book?
Blythe & Helen: We pray that the moms reading this book will feel loved, important, needed, refreshed, and renewed in their calling.
Q: How can readers connect with you?
Our email is: info@theblythedanielagency.com but we’re also on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blythe.daniel and https://www.facebook.com/helen.b.mcintosh.
Instagram: blythe.daniel and nannie_7777.
Book Review of I Love You, Mom
This gift book is all about the details. The first pages include fill-in-the-blanks for gifting information, as well as space to write your own personalized note to Mom.
The book itself is broken down into attributes about your mom, such as “You are abundant,” “You are fearless,” and “You are a legacy.” Each attribute is then separated out with a related Scripture and devotional thought intended to affirm and encourage.
I love the simplicity and thoughtfulness of these messages to our mothers. Young busy mothers might find these encouraging words a lifeline in the sleepless nights and overflowing to-do lists. Grandmothers might cherish these words over a quiet cup of coffee.
Also, don’t forget your mothers-in-love! This book would be a priceless gift for you to share with your husband’s mom, too.
Enter to Win Your Copy
I’m thrilled to be giving away a copy of I Love You, Mom that one reader will be able to share with his or her mother (hopefully) in time for Mother’s Day!
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. You could comment on why you would love to give this book as a gift to your mom or something you learned from you mom that has stuck with you.
A few considerations:
- You must be over 13 years of age to enter.
- You must have a US address. (Sorry to my international friends!)
- The winner’s name may be posted on this site and/or social media.
- While this contest may be shared on social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, this promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with these entities.
The giveaway runs through Saturday, May 6, and I’ll announce the winner on the blog and Facebook that week.
~ Kristen
Special thanks to the Blog About Blogger Network for hosting this giveaway.
About Blythe Daniel & Helen McIntosh
A magnificent mother-daughter duo, Helen McIntosh and Blythe Daniel released Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mother and Daughters in 2019 and have paired up again for I Love You, Mom!: Cherished Word Gifts from My Heart to Yours releasing in March 2022.
Blythe is the president of The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc., is a literary agent, marketer, and writer with 25 years in media and publishing. She has written for Focus on the Family, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Ann Voskamp, and Christian Retailing.
Right away, Helen is someone you know as an encourager at heart. She has her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Sarasota, and is the author of Messages to Myself and Eric, Jose & The Peace Rug.
About I Love You, Mom
This sweet collection of sentiments from mother-daughter duo Helen McIntosh and Blythe Daniel is a deeply sincere tribute to moms everywhere. Whether they are still on the parenting journey or enjoying the grandmothering phase of life, moms of all ages will be blessed and encouraged by these inspirational thoughts and special affirmations of love. Beautifully designed with cheerful full-color artwork in a unique layered hardcover package, this special all-occasion gift is a thoughtful, meaningful way to celebrate Mom and let her know how much you love, cherish, and appreciate all that she is and does!
Congrats to Our Giveaway Winner!
Congratulations to Christi for being the winner of the drawing for one copy of I Love You, Mom! Thank you to everyone who commented and participated.
32 Comments
Patti Pierce
I learned the art of hospitality from my mom. I learned to open our homes and my heart to those around us.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
What a valuable lesson hospitality is. I’m sure you have blessed many people as a result. I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Susan Campbell
My Mom taught me to treat everyone the way that I would like to be treated and to thank God for letting me enjoy another day.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
I love that! Gratitude and kindness are so important. I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Linda Gawthrop
The best advice my Mom gave was that you never get a second chance to make a first impression!
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Good advice! Thank you for sharing. I’ve entered you in the giveaway.
woods
Hospitality are the gracious pleasures extended with respect for all who receive and give its merit
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Thanks for your comment! I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
C Hunt
My mom in heaven taught me how to be strong, kind and caring. She also taught me how to be a mom to my own children. She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. I hope to be on par with her someday.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
What a blessing to learn so much from her! I agree that I have learned so much from my mom too. I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Anne
My mother was filled with kindness for many and always gave of herself since she derived a great deal of pleasure from this. To be understanding and helpful.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
What a great example she was! To be giving with a generous, kind spirit is something worth emulating. I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Christi Perry
My mom always said, “perseverance is the hard work you do, after the hard work you’ve already done.” Having raised and homeschooled seven kids, she had a lot of hard work!
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Yes, she has! That’s a great quote to remember. I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Kerri Norrod
My mom was my foster mom until she and my dad adopted me. I am so grateful that she is my mom. She taught me to be compassionate and giving.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
I love that. Thank you for sharing! I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Amber
To think before you speak! It’s served me well.
Happy Moms’ Day to all!
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
What a valuable lesson! Thank you, and I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Lual Krautter
As a missionary kid, growing up in Paraguay, where we, as a family, worked with various tribe, my mom taught me many good Christian values, many of which I employ nowadays in ministry, since my husband is a minister, and we reach people for the Lord in Montana. Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! I’m sure I’d enjoy perusing the book, and passing it on to someone else, since my mom is already with Lord as of a few years. God bless!
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Thank you so much for sharing, Lual! That’s amazing that what she taught you has helped you in your own ministry. I’m sure you would enjoy the book and have entered you into the giveaway.
deborahdumm
My mom deserves this book because she has been taking care of my sister and I since the day we were born. I have cerebral palsy and require care even as a grown adult. My sister has had 4 different types of cancer and needed help during and after her treatments. My mom also takes us to our doctor appointments as neither of us are able to drive.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
What a blessing your mom is! I’d love for her to get a copy of this book and have entered you into the giveaway.
Stephanie
I would love to give this book as a gift to my mom because she has always taught and shown me to have an attitude of gratitude.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
I love that! Thanks for sharing, Stephanie. I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Cheryl Bomar
My mom taught me to respect people and be kind and helpful to the onces that need to be helped. She also taught me to be a very good cook.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Those are such good lessons and practical ones! I love that she shared her gift of cooking with you too and have entered you into the giveaway.
Sherry
My mother taught me always wear underwear
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Sometimes, it’s the simple lessons that stick with us! Thanks for sharing, and I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Stephanie H.
I think this book would be a lovely one to give to both of my moms’ & my sister too for Mother’s Day!
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Thanks for your comment, Stephanie! I’ve entered you into the giveaway.
Lori Byrd
My Mom is 84 years old and shared her love of books with me at a very young age. we still swap books every time we see each other. She’s amazing.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
That is so special she shared her love of books with you and that you swap them! I’ve entered you into the giveaway.