Happy Mother’s Day to ALL the women that are here today. I know today can come with a myriad of emotions - if you were blessed like me to have an amazing mom who made home a glad place of refuge, it is easy to celebrate and honor her, but it can also come with hard and complicated emotions - deep grief and sorrow if we’ve lost our mother or a child, disappointment, sadness, and aching for those who yearn to be mothers but it remains an longing unfulfilled. Maybe you have a complicated relationship with your mom. I remember while we were struggling with infertility there were some Mother’s Days I couldn’t even come to church because the longing and pain of being childless was too much to bear. Wherever you find yourself this Mother’s Day, may you remember that we serve El-roi, “the God who sees” and Emmanuel, “the God who is with us.”
To those who are mothers…
…May you feel loved, honored, and celebrated today and always - for the fierce love you pour out, the sacrifices made, sleepless nights endured, tears you wipe away, boo boos kissed and fixed, the refuge and safe place you are, the stories you read, listening ear you offer, advice and wisdom you give, and all the prayers spoken. We are forever grateful.
To those with good mother relationships…
…May you cherish the time, closeness and love you share with your mother. May you make sweet memories together in the days while you still have each other to enjoy this side of heaven.
To those who have complicated mother relationships…
…May you find a safe place to share your story, be humble enough to own your part of the relationship, offer forgiveness for past hurts, be supported by mother-like women to learn from and be loved by, and if possible find restoration.
To those who have lost mothers…
…in your grief, may you be comforted by the memories you hold of her, gratitude for the time you were given with her, and all the ways, big and small, the she showed her pride in you and her great love for you.
To those who have never known a mother…
…May you be loved and supported by spiritual mothers and mentors that can help fill the void of lost experiences.
To those who long to be mothers or have missed their chance to be a mother…
…in your grief, and as you wait, may you feel His nearness and find comfort, strength, and peace in the opportunities to love and nurture the children God’s placed in your life.
To mothers who have lost children…
…in your deep ache and sorrow, may you experience God’s comfort and care, receive gentle love and kindness from those who love and support you, and in the vast absence of your child, may the beauty of the memories shared with your child bring comfort to your aching heart.
To the aunts, stepmoms, sisters, and special women in our lives…
…Though you may not have physically birthed the ones you mother, the love, care, and support you offer is irreplaceable and is cherished by those whose lives you’ve impacted. May you feel honored and celebrated for the special role you play to those in your life and community.
Today and everyday, may each of us see and receive all of the ways God mothers us - may we allow Him to nurture our broken and hurting hearts, receive His sacrificial love and forgiveness through Jesus, walk as His beloved children, and feel His pride and delight in us, knowing there is nothing we could do to separate us from His love. Amen.