Mothers Day is a day we set aside to honour our mothers (whether they be our birth moms, foster moms, or people who cared for us like a mom). Truth be told it shouldn’t have to be just one day; it should be everyday. They have helped to shape who we are today.
For many, thoughts of this day will evoke a varying array of emotions. Some good, some not so good, some sad, some happy. Some will enter into the day with joy and anticipation of being surrounded and pampered by family. And yet others will withdraw, avoid and feel pain at the mention of Mothers Day.
Here’s something to ponder – how do we handle Mothers Day in our churches? Think about it for a minute. It’s easy to celebrate the happy memories, the successful motherhood experiences. It’s not so easy to acknowledge that this day can be painful for so many who are a part of our churches.
Many churches are getting better at this. We need to find ways to celebrate the good and acknowledge the difficult. After all, this is what life is like outside the garden. Not what God intended for us. But being created in God’s image, we are equipped with grace and compassion needed to be able to celebrate the good about motherhood and walk along side those who find this path so difficult.
Here is something you may want to share in your churches this Sunday:
- 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 sit 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 acknowledge your experience.
- 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 you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.
Excerpt from Amy Young at “Messy Middle” blog – http://messymiddle.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/an-open-letter-to-pastors-a-non-mom-speaks-about-mothers-day/
