“A mom cannot spend every hour of every day—24/7—filling other people’s needs without running dry, unless she takes some time along the busy road to fill up for herself.” – Tammy Bundy, Catholic Mom 24/7

This year, why not give all the mothers in your life something that lasts longer than flowers, candy or perfume—how about a gift of nourishment for her soul? Here are some book suggestions that celebrate and inspire Mom:

Moms will recognize and relate to the situations described in Catholic Mom 24/7: Daily Meditations for Busy Mothers by Tammy Bundy. A mother of four herself, Tammy relates to the daily stress and massive to-do lists of today’s mom. You’ll find humor, understanding and the peace of daily reflection and prayer in this small, purse-friendly book. 

It’s a story that is every parent’s worst nightmare, but as told in My Joy, My Sorrow: Karen Ann’s Mother Remembers, by Julia Duane Quinlan, it’s also a story of hope, love and redemption. The headline-making ordeal of Karen Ann Quinlan captured the country’s attention like nothing else in the 70s, and no one can tell the inside story better than Karen Ann’s mother.

And what a dramatic story it is, told in Julia’s quiet voice. When it was all over, the case of Karen Ann Quinlan resulted in significant changes in medical protocols, the rights of patients, the growth of hospices and living wills, and how we all look at death and dying today. But it’s also a story of mother’s love, a love that never gives up and never fails.

Mothers will appreciate the practical and spiritual advice in Make Room for God: Clearing Out the Clutter, by Susan Rowland. What mother can’t relate to this statement from the beginning of the book: “Not long ago, I was wandering around in my own little world, stressed out by all the things I believed I had to do, frustrated by the clutter that was filling my closets and my mind, and all the while longing for something better. I worked too much, prayed too little and added to my load with long lists that never got done.”

In this heartfelt book, Susan provides not only the practical steps of how to clear clutter, but also the spiritual reasons of why. Moms will find inspiration in learning how another mother decluttered her space, and in doing so, also decluttered her mind and heart and life.