“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do” (Ephesians 6:1)
Today, many of us will gather again in worship and celebrate Mother’s Day. We will cook our mothers dinner or take them out to eat. We will seek to spoil them in the same way that they have spoiled us. We will express our thanks for all that our mothers have done for us. We will thank God for how our mothers have shown to us a glimpse of what God’s grace and love are all about.
But Mother’s Day is not always a happy time for everyone. For some, it will remind them of the loss of their mother. For some, it will be a reminder of how they have not been able to be a parent. For some, it will remind them that their relationship with their mother has not been healthy and has hurt them in some deep way.
My hope and prayer for those who will struggle today is that they will experience the love of God who longs to hold them and comfort them in their grief. My prayer is that they will experience the love of God in a way that they perhaps never experienced with their own mothers. I pray that they will experience the love of Jesus who speaks of how he longs “to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.” (Matthew 23:37)
So, for those of you celebrating Mother’s Day with your mothers, thank God for the gift of love and grace shown to you through them. Let your mothers know how special they are.
For those of you being celebrated todaas mothers, rejoicing in your children, thank God for the gifts and blessings God gave you and know how much we appreciate all that you have done.
For those of you who have been like a mother to others – even without ever having children of your own – may this day bring recognition of your caring and love that you have shown.
And for those of you who grieve this weekend, reminded of a mother who is no longer with you, may God surround you with comfort and love. For those of you who grieve this weekend because you have lost a child, whether through miscarriage or stillbirth or premature death, may God hold you even closer and may you know that God holds your child even now in everlasting arms.
For those who struggle today, because you are not a mother, whether by your own choice or by infertility, I pray for God’s strength and encouragement. May you know what a gift you are, just for who you are.
And for those of you who have complicated relationships with your mother, who did not feel the love of a mother growing up, who may not have ever known their mother, we pray that you may know God’s love in a special way, in a way that goes beyond the imperfections and hurt that we as human beings often show to one another.
As for me, and many others who have lost, or are taking care of their Moms in the final stages of life. I lost my mother on July 2nd 2016. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my Mom. I take with me, an image of a mother that spent the last 4 years of her life extremely ill, and a season of my life that for most would have seemed completely overwhelming. Circumstances providing for her care that required everything that I had and then some, all while working a full-time job. As hard as it was, Know that as overwhelming and hard as it seems, it also can be a very special blessing. I will never regret this time, It allowed me to show my mom how much I loved her and that she was not alone. That her struggles were also mine. It also brought me into a closer relationship with Jesus, leaning on Him for strengh when I had no more of my own to draw from. Thank you Lord.
That is love, the best of love that we as human beings show to one another, a love that lets us see only a glimpse what God’s love is all about.
I miss you Mom..
Happy Mother’s Day, everyone
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank you for our Mothers and the precious life that You Lord gave to us through them. I lift those that are hurting to You today, comfort them and hold them close. Remind them of the safety and security as a child being in their mom’s arms. Show them that they can experience this type of love everytime they seek You. I lift up those who are in difficult relationships, that today You will heal them. For everyone else that will be with their mothers today, remind them to cherish these times, and set aside any type of indifference. That they would have an abundance of blessing, healing and joy on this mothers day. In Your precious name, Amen.
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Rob Lavallee
Scriptural Seeds Ministries
http://www.scripturalseeds.org