My Perspective on Mother's Day

Mother's Day has come and gone for another year. It doesn't always strike me the same way and this year was distinctly different in several respects. 

I was thinking of Mom on Mother's Day, although it is now 5 years since she went to heaven. I loved her dearly, but in the journey of emotional healing I've been on, I've had to face some of the ways that Mom missed me. However, that morning I was asking God to bring to mind specific times when I felt loved by her, which he did. From there it went to memories of times that other women have "mothered" me. A hug, a smile, letting me talk, crying with me, praying for me, believing in me, including me in their families, etc. I felt the love seeping in to the very core of my being. The vast richness of God's provision for me. No, my Mom didn't give me everything I needed, for no one person can do that, but God in his infinite love had others along the way to fill in the gaps. 

And then the other side of the coin that has also felt painful at times of never having children of my own. That morning in church there was an acknowledgement that Mother's Day can be hard depending on your situation. I felt that sadness rise up and had to grieve that loss, but then I had this picture of being handed all these babies and I was reminded of all the children I had the privilege of "mothering", whether for a moment, a day or months. The best and most significant one was being a nanny for triplets for one school year. How special to "mother" those 3 little boys at the most tender, vulnerable time of their life! Then there were nieces and nephews, children of co-workers, children on the mission field, my friends children and many more. And these verses came to mind in Isaiah 49: 

"Then you will say in your heart: Who has borne me these? I was bereaved and barren, exiled and put away, but who has brought up these? Behold I was left alone; from where have these come? Thus says the Lord God...they shall bring your sons in their arms and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders...then you will know that I am the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be disappointed."

So whatever your Mother's Day was like I pray that God met you there as he did me. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to those of you that have "mothered" me and those that have let me be part of "mothering" your children.