Sometimes we live in an alternate reality. Maybe it is the TV that we watch or possibly just how we wish things could be. In our perfect TV world, Mother’s Day is a day full of joy to celebrate those amazing women in our lives who raised us. It is also a day for the munchkins and husbands to celebrate just how much they love mom.
Perhaps your day is filled with breakfast in bed, homemade cards, and lots of hugs and smiles. Maybe you are the one showing mom appreciation by buying her flowers and taking her out to lunch or doing something special.
It is easy to forget that we live in a broken world and Mother’s Day might not be full of smiles and joy. Sometimes because of circumstances beyond our control, our Mothers are not around. Maybe you would give anything to spend just five minutes with your mother. To hear her voice, see her smile, and feel her hug.
Possibly your mom was not a part of your life and there is a special lady that took her place. No one can ever replace your mom but maybe this woman loved you as if you were her child. Could it be an Aunt, a Grandmother, a Foster Mother, an Adoptive Mother, or even your Step Mother?
Maybe your heart aches for a child and someone to call you mommy. There are several stories in the bible of women in this circumstance. My favorite is the story of Hannah. She longed to be a mother so much that she begged God to give her a son. In fact, she made a covenant with him that if he would bring her a son she would willingly give him back to God in order that he may serve him. God did indeed bring her that son.
Is your heart overflowing with love for a child that you did not give birth to? It is amazing how God can fill your heart with love for a little being that does not even belong to you. Maybe they are in your care for a few days, a few months, or a lifetime. They may never show their gratitude for the love that you have poured into them. You may not receive a card on Mother’s Day saying how much you are loved and appreciated. Let us share with you just how much you are!
God is a “father to the fatherless” and I like to think a mother to the motherless. He uses you and your overflowing heart to be that mother. Don’t be saddened or discouraged on this day. Know that no matter what situation you find yourself in your heart is capable of big love for a little one that needs it.
To all of those moms out there (Biological, adoptive, foster, step, and moms at heart) know that you are loved and appreciated. Thank you for giving up your personal time and your personal space to meet the unrelenting needs of your little or perhaps big one. The packed lunches, special breakfasts, I need a snack, I’m thirtsties, and I don’t like thats. The endless chorus of Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom.
Don’t forget about all of the lost things that only You can find. Or the scraped knees and tears that only a Mom’s love can fix. The million diapers you have changed, thousands of meals you have prepared, and hundreds of loads of laundry you have done. Life would be missing something without your encouraging words, discipline to keep your little ones from going astray, and your love that overflows your heart.
To everyone that is a mom at heart, Happy Mother’s Day!
