Thoughts for Mother's Day

Mother's day is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate moms and motherhood.  It is a good thing for the Church to take part in this as we are beckoned both by the commandments as well as by Christ's example to honor our mothers.  But as we do, let us remember that there are many within our midst for whom this is not a joyous occasion.  This may be especially so for those who struggling with infertility.

Russell Moore shared wise words (as he typically does) in his blog yesterday as he charged churches with the following:

"Regardless of how you do it, remember the infertile as the world around us celebrates motherhood. The Proverbs 31 woman needs our attention, but the 1 Samuel 1 woman does too."

In addition to those who are infertile, there are also those who have lost children to miscarriages or those who are single and hear the all-to-incessant ticking of their biological clocks.  In any case, the Body of Christ must take great care to be sympathetic to these sisters, especially at this time when the pain of their longings might be most acute.  May we lift them up in prayer.  May we love them well and make sure to communicate to them their great value in our eyes and in God's.

And for those who do long to be mothers, but fear that this desire might not be realized, Wendy Alsup offers these words of encouragement:

You don’t have to deny your longing or talk yourself into a happy attitude for all the good things you can do without kids. It’s OK to mourn the loss. God said children are a blessing. But after the fall, we do not all get to experience that blessing. The gospel makes up the difference. While you are disappointed in deep ways and that disappointment is real, you will one day sit with Jesus in heaven profoundly content with his work in you through this disappointment. In heaven, you will have no longing for something you missed. You will not be disappointed. May confidence in that hope sustain you.

Click here to read her entire post.