The Quilted Heart Encourager – May 6, 2022 – Mother’s Day Reflections

What a confluence of national news, personal news, and Mother’s Day. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I just learned that a dear friend’s daughter and son-in-law have been able to adopt! God has been faithful and good to answer our prayers for this wonderful Christian couple. Praise God! In national news, a leak from the Supreme Court indicates that the fateful Roe vs. Wade ruling allowing abortion may be overturned by our current more conservative court. My social media is blowing up. Reactions have been strong and varied, with pro-abortion people enraged and pro-life people rejoicing. While it is not my purpose here to get into politics, I can encourage us all to pray.

When you think of Mother’s Day, who comes to mind? Do you think of your own mother or yourself? Whatever your thoughts, whatever your situation, you can choose to trust in the Lord, our Perfect Parent.

You may have been blessed with a good mother or you may have suffered under a bad one. Your mother may still be alive, or you may have lost yours. Or maybe you never knew her at all. One of my life verses is Psalm 27:10: “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.” Those who know my story know that God used my parents’ failures as an instrument of faith in my life. Perhaps, like me, you were given godly mentors who became like mothers to you, showing the way with love.

You may be a mother yourself, with kids who are doing fine and walking with the Lord. If so, rejoice! And please don’t take that for granted. Motherhood is such a high calling. Or you may have the ongoing pain of children who have fallen away or wandered away. If so, you already know that all you can do is pray for them and trust in God’s perfect plan and timing. Or perhaps you have lost a child. You may wonder each day how you can go on with this crushing grief. If so, I hope you are comforted by the fact that Jesus knows your sorrow and weeps with you. And He promises that one day, there will be no more tears.

You may be pregnant by choice or by accident. You’re expecting your first child with joy or with trepidation. You may feel confident in your ability to raise this child, or be convinced that a baby is the last thing you need right now. This is where I must say, God created you and your baby. Psalm 139 says, “For you [God] formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Moreover, all our days are written in His book, which is an amazing thought! When I think of the young couple I mentioned above, I’m reminded that adoption is an excellent alternative to abortion. Support is available if you have the courage to continue your pregnancy. Please consider the joy you can bring to someone who longs for a child but is unable to have one. And, for the rest of us, let’s pray earnestly that expectant mothers in difficult situations will make a wise choice.

Lastly, you may be unable to have children, for a variety of reasons. Maybe you wanted to have children, but never had the opportunity. God loves you as well. Run to Him as your wise Shepherd who will lift and carry you home. My point is that there may be many different reactions to the idea of Mother’s Day, and we should be sensitive to those for whom it’s not a happy holiday.

Heavenly Father, we don’t always know why You allow hard things to happen, but we do always know that You are good and wise. We do know that You are all-powerful and yet You love us far more deeply than even the best earthly mother (or father) could. Help us to trust in You no matter what our circumstances. Thank You for your promise in Isaiah 66:13: "As a mother comforts her child, I shall comfort you." Thank You for being the Perfect Parent. We praise and honor You. We love You.

God is faithful,
j

As always, I welcome your comments below.