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2010.05.06 01:09:47

jjmgm

jjmgm → Mother's Day: Hallmark moments? Or something else?

Mother's Day is meant to be a joyous, blissful occasion spent with children, grandchildren, families. It's just not that way for so many women. I know; I spent many Mother's Days feeling guilty! I wasn't the best mom I could have been; I didn't have the best relationship with my own mom and when I began to talk about this, I found that many women felt the same way!

That prompted me to write the following letter. I have literally sent this around the world for the past five years. Maybe you can relate to it; maybe you know someone who really needs encouragement.

Mother’s Day. . . Pleasant or Painful? 

When you think of Mother’s Day, what comes to mind? Flowers? Candy? A special brunch at her favorite place? Just the right card that says exactly how you feel?  Or, have you sometimes searched for a Mother’s Day card and never found one that seemed completely appropriate? 

For many of us, Mother’s Day brings special thoughts of a loving mom:                                                

She is always there when we need her                                               

She meets our physical and emotional needs                                               

She nurtures, inspires and encourages                                                

She is our role model; we want to be just like her!

We have warm, pleasant feelings when we think of mother.  That is what God wants for us: “…gentle…like a mother caring for her little children”    I Thessalonians. 2:7 

For others, thinking of mother brings hurt and pain. Maybe…

Your mother left, or otherwise abandoned you

She abused you or allowed someone else to hurt you

She put her needs first and allowed your needs to go unmet 

Some of our mothers have failed us and we sometimes carry that hurt in the form of anger, bitterness and unforgiveness.  God never intended for us to be hurt by our mothers, but He wants us to forgive, just as He forgives us. “Forgive and you will be forgiven.”   Luke 6:37c 

And many others experience profound grief and sorrow when reminded of Mother’s Day:

A mother who has lost a child to death

A mother who has lost a child to addictions

A mother who has lost a relationship with her child

A mother who has lost custody of her children

A woman who has chosen abortion

A woman who has suffered a miscarriage

A woman who cannot conceive or carry a child

A woman whose mother has died…. 

God knows of our hurt, pain and sorrow. He wants to bring you comfort today:  “As a mother comforts her children, so I will comfort you.”    Isaiah 66:13 

So, celebrate this Mother’s Day by knowing that you have a heavenly parent (God) who loves you!  Unconditionally, completely and eternally; and if you trust in Him, this is His promise:  “never will I leave you, never will I forsake you”  Hebrews 13:5