Mothers Day Comfort
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. ~Isaiah 40:1
Early on the morning I'd planned to write, it seemed as if God wanted me to change my original plan, and reach out to those for whom Mothers Day is hard. He reminded me of the difficulty that has resulted from the fall, from sin in our world and the harm and hurt it has produced. We were never meant to know evil, and yet, here we are. Even so, because God redeems, there is comfort in the most heart-wrenching circumstances.
Mothers Day is the time we all put on our Sunday best and make everything look okay. Mothers in general are lauded for their goodness. Certainly, honor and praise is an appropriate acknowledgement to the godly women who love others sacrificially. For the unspoken majority of us, however, there's a heart pain that accompanies this holiday, and it's important that we are seen, known, and loved.
For Those Who Have Suffered Loss: God Sees You
Many grieve loss on Mothers Day: loss of a dear mother, loss of a child, loss of a dream, or loss of what should have been. Loss comes in many forms:
Strained or estranged relationships are not uncommon, even among Christians. As adults, it's hard to navigate life with controlling, dominating, or codependent parents. As parents of adult children, it's heartbreaking to suffer the loss of relationship with your own offspring. If trauma or abuse has been a factor, authenticity seems unreachable. Still, seemingly impossible circumstances are opportunities for us to experience God's healing work in our hearts if we are open to receive His help. Ask me how I know.
For Single Parents: God Sees You
One of the most compelling biblical accounts of single parenting comes from Genesis 16 and 21:8-21, wherein Hagar flees to the desert twice: the first time she is pregnant with her son Ishmael; the second time they are sent away from their home fourteen years later. [Hagar is the first in Scripture to voice a name for God: El-roi, "the God who sees".] Hagar's story is hard, as is single parenting. But just as God assured Hagar of His presence, compassion, and provision, He sees and knows those who are raising kids on their own.
For Mothers Who Think They're Not Enough: God Sees You
Responsible mothers often feel the weight of the world on their shoulders – after all, lives depend on them! The demands of work, kids, and home pile up like laundry and dishes. And when something goes wrong, these women blame themselves. Consequently, they often experience feelings of guilt and shame for not doing enough or being good enough.
Jesus wants you to know that it's not about you. Of course you're not enough! You weren't designed to be enough. But Jesus IS enough! He freely shares Himself with all who depend on Him for help. Remember, you don't control outcomes. Your job is to simply follow Jesus, leaving the results to Him. [Note to younger me: You couldn't have known what you didn't know.]
***********
Friends, you may be challenged to "hold it together" on Mothers Day with myriad mixed emotions. Take this opportunity to lean into God's all-sufficient grace. Let these comforting truths wash over you:
“Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” ~ Hagar, Genesis 16:13
Click HERE to get free weekly articles in by email. Your info will never be shared.
©2023 Julianne Knapp. First published 5.9.23
Early on the morning I'd planned to write, it seemed as if God wanted me to change my original plan, and reach out to those for whom Mothers Day is hard. He reminded me of the difficulty that has resulted from the fall, from sin in our world and the harm and hurt it has produced. We were never meant to know evil, and yet, here we are. Even so, because God redeems, there is comfort in the most heart-wrenching circumstances.
Mothers Day is the time we all put on our Sunday best and make everything look okay. Mothers in general are lauded for their goodness. Certainly, honor and praise is an appropriate acknowledgement to the godly women who love others sacrificially. For the unspoken majority of us, however, there's a heart pain that accompanies this holiday, and it's important that we are seen, known, and loved.
For Those Who Have Suffered Loss: God Sees You
Many grieve loss on Mothers Day: loss of a dear mother, loss of a child, loss of a dream, or loss of what should have been. Loss comes in many forms:
- Death of a child or miscarriage. Jesus sees you, has compassion on you, and offers the hope of resurrection. (See the story of the widow of Nain in Luke 7:11-17.)
- Having a neglectful or abusive mother. You can suffer the loss of something you never had, like a kind, loving parent. (Click HERE for an excellent resource by Leslie Vernick whose mother was abusive.)
- Death of a parent. We have the hope of reunion (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
- Infertility. God saw Hannah and answered her prayer in 1 Samuel 1.
- Loss of a nuclear family due to divorce. Many carry wounds from their parents' breakup and emotional or physical separation from their mothers.
- Loss due to abortion. Men, women, and relatives grieve following an irreversible decision (for help, visit SupportAfterAbortion.com).
- Loss of a normal childhood. Mothers Day can cause memories of childhood tragedies or trauma to resurface, especially when a loving mother was replaced with an unkind (or wicked and cruel) step-mother OR when a natural mother was unable or unwilling to mitigate harm.
- Loss of relationship with loved ones. Maybe your life took a turn you never expected, which impacted relationships you valued.
Strained or estranged relationships are not uncommon, even among Christians. As adults, it's hard to navigate life with controlling, dominating, or codependent parents. As parents of adult children, it's heartbreaking to suffer the loss of relationship with your own offspring. If trauma or abuse has been a factor, authenticity seems unreachable. Still, seemingly impossible circumstances are opportunities for us to experience God's healing work in our hearts if we are open to receive His help. Ask me how I know.
For Single Parents: God Sees You
One of the most compelling biblical accounts of single parenting comes from Genesis 16 and 21:8-21, wherein Hagar flees to the desert twice: the first time she is pregnant with her son Ishmael; the second time they are sent away from their home fourteen years later. [Hagar is the first in Scripture to voice a name for God: El-roi, "the God who sees".] Hagar's story is hard, as is single parenting. But just as God assured Hagar of His presence, compassion, and provision, He sees and knows those who are raising kids on their own.
For Mothers Who Think They're Not Enough: God Sees You
Responsible mothers often feel the weight of the world on their shoulders – after all, lives depend on them! The demands of work, kids, and home pile up like laundry and dishes. And when something goes wrong, these women blame themselves. Consequently, they often experience feelings of guilt and shame for not doing enough or being good enough.
Jesus wants you to know that it's not about you. Of course you're not enough! You weren't designed to be enough. But Jesus IS enough! He freely shares Himself with all who depend on Him for help. Remember, you don't control outcomes. Your job is to simply follow Jesus, leaving the results to Him. [Note to younger me: You couldn't have known what you didn't know.]
***********
Friends, you may be challenged to "hold it together" on Mothers Day with myriad mixed emotions. Take this opportunity to lean into God's all-sufficient grace. Let these comforting truths wash over you:
- "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations." ~ Psalm 90
- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. ~ Psalm 91
- "I am the LORD who heals you." ~ Exodus 15:26
- "Come unto Me . . . and I will give you rest." ~ Jesus, in Matthew 11:28
- "O LORD, You . . . know everything about me." ~ Psalm 139
“Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” ~ Hagar, Genesis 16:13
Click HERE to get free weekly articles in by email. Your info will never be shared.
©2023 Julianne Knapp. First published 5.9.23