What do all these things have in common? A lot of pain for many people. This was my first Mother's Day in the States since becoming a mom of a child on this earth. We went through many Mother's Days wanting to have children and unable to do so. Painful doesn't begin to scratch the surface...
After a very unfortunate incident while leaving a church service one Mother's Day morning, I had decided for several years to totally quit going on Mother's Day to be around any people any where, much less at a church service. Why is it that church groups think they need to hand a rose out at the end of a service on Mother's Day? Or any other token gift? I understand the need and desire we have, even God-given, to honor our parents. Which of course includes mother's. But really. Why not let the Spirit lead the Body of Christ to encourage individual mother's as He wills. Not somebody getting a bright idea that every mother needs a rose while exiting a church service, which means of course polling them as they leave to see if they are - in fact - a mother. I will never forget that Sunday many years ago, as it was ALL that I could do to even make it there at the service, then to have the hander-outer of the roses look at me (knowing of our struggle) and say, "Here. You take a rose. You are like a mother to so many." Honestly. A pity rose? I won't tell you how that made me feel.
Of course they meant well, everyone does. But let the Spirit lead things like this, not our own well-meaning wishes/comments. I say this on behalf of all those that are not yet mother's. Think before you speak: Your comments cut deep. And, of course there are those hurting on mother's day after losing a mom or a child or even those that never knew their mom's. This day can be painful for so many for a multitude of reasons. Not a day to be flippant and tell silly stories from the pulpit of your not-so-perfect parenting skills. Thankfully that did not happen this year to me, yet I know out there is someone hurting because it happened to them. I know because I have been there many years.
Why do I bring this up now? After the Lord has blessed us with a precious son from Him? The pain doesn't end just because you have a child. I still grieve those babies that we lost. It is still a struggle many if not most months. Does that mean I am not thankful for my child? Absolutely not. God knows my heart and how truly thankful I am for Peter. Yet, the pain is still real and alive. Even if I don't want to deal with it, nothing like a good Mother's Day to remind me of that.
A friend forwarded me this broadcast that I have attached below, from Focus on the Family. I haven't listened to them in years, yet know this was sent from the Lord to not only encourage me - but maybe other's out there who might read this and be led to listen. If you have the time, please listen to both parts. Part 1 is great, even if you have never struggled, so that you can understand others who are struggling with this issue. The pain can be felt in these precious women who went on air to encourage others. This post is long, so I will attach part 2 to a follow up post...
Click here to listen: Hope in the Midst of Infertility
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