If You Had a Bad Mother's Day

     Many people don't like Mother's Day (or Father's Day).  We all come from different life circumstances, and often celebrations cause us sadness, grief, or resentment.  What if you recently lost your mother?  What if your mother abused you?  What if you are unable to have children?  I shared the following piece with my congregation on Sunday, and it resonated with many.  It was written by Dr. Jeff Gibbs of Concordia Seminary.

+To those who have recently had a child—we celebrate with you
+To those who have lost a child – we mourn with you
+To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you
+To those who have experienced miscarriage or failed adoptions—we hurt with you
+To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.
+To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you
+To those who have warm and close relationships with your children centered on Christ – we celebrate with you  
+To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we both lament and hope with you
+To those who have lost their own mothers – we grieve with you
+To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we pray with you for healing
+To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst
+To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you
+And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you


This Mother’s Day, we walk with all of you. Together rejoicing in the joys of this life, sorrowing in the trials, trusting in the mercy of Christ, and hoping in the resurrection to come upon His return.