For Mother's Day

Mother's Day is greatly emphasized in our world today, but it is not a day of joy for everyone. I have become more and more aware that importing civil holidays into the church can cause great pain to some. Mother's Day and motherhood is a complex thing. Consider the following:

+To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you.

+To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you.

+To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you.

+To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you.

+To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

+To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you.

+To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you.

+To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we both lament and hope with you.

+To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you.

+To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we pray with you for healing.

+To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst.

+To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you.

+And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you.

This Mother’s Day, we walk with all of you. Together rejoicing in the joys of this life, sorrowing in the trials, trusting in the mercy of Christ, and hoping in the resurrection to come upon His return.

(Note: I did not write this, but do not remember where I got it from. Please forgive the lack of attribution.)