
For the last month, we’ve been commercially bombarded with endless reminders that Mother’s Day is fast approaching.
Yes, the holiday is a wonderful celebration of motherhood. Moms who endlessly give and serve their families throughout the year do deserve to be honored and affirmed.
Yet for many, Mother’s Day elicits more pain than joy. But why?
For some, the pain comes because their own mother has died. Perhaps a person is missing their best friend, chief encourager and prayer warrior. Mother’s Day might also stir up feelings of guilt about words left unsaid or deeds left undone. And now it’s too late for a “do-over.”
For others, the searing pain is caused by the reality that “Mother” is a name they will never be called due to infertility, singleness or the ticking time clock.
And some are hurting because of broken relationships with their own mother or daughter, regrets due to personal failures, or loneliness because children are geographically or emotionally distant.
Lots of very justifiable reasons for pain.
But what does a person do with the pain? How do they get through this holiday? Pull the covers over the head? Numb the pain with alcohol, food or shopping? Cry buckets of tears? Be consumed with bitterness or depression?
Yes, those are all solutions. But none are particularly healthy or helpful.
How, then, do you get through the pain on Mother’s Day?
Motherhood is the most noble of callings. Mothers deserve to be honored and celebrated. And those who have not been blessed to be earthly mothers can provide maternal love and nurture to those desperately in need of that love.
Wherever you are this Mother’s Day, may you give and receive love in abundance. And may you realize that your life matters.
With love, gratitude and encouragement this Mother’s Day weekend.
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