Well, this seems like a silly questions now doesn't it?
Maybe to you.
But I think every year around the second weekend of May, people ask that same question. Maybe not always literally with their mouth, and maybe not everyone. But there are quite a few who are asking to see if they qualify, or if they are accepted as such, or if others consider them worthy of the name.
It's a tricky thing.
I'm guessing if you questioned 10 people on the definition of mother, or when someone becomes a mother, you would get the typical answer. (But might I say, personally I don't think that it is necessarily the right answer.)
And do you know what that typical answer is?
When do you become a mother? [When you have a baby.]
Hmmmm....
Now to some that may seem like a great answer.
But is it right? Is that really what makes you a mother?
Or does it have to do with actually putting in time and effort, or giving care and love and comfort to children, consistently and continually?
Last December, a sweet little 6 year old foster girl of mine said to me..."Mom.... oh you're not my mom, but I guess you are 'like' my mom right now, because you are taking care of me."
See, she gets it. :) No, I didn't birth her, yet she considered me like a [her] mother....because I was taking care of her, helping her, teaching/correcting her, providing for her, sheltering her....etc.
I think you get it.
While you are celebrating this Mother's Day, there will also be women hurting. Hurting for children they've lost, hurting for children they desired but were never granted, hurting to be accepted as a person whether they have children or not, hurting to be accepted as a mother no matter how they received their children. Hurting, not happy. Or even, hurting WHILE happy. Pain from this kind of hurt doesn't go away, but it can soften and not be as sharp, with the right kind of help.
I hope all can find happiness on this day, but I know all will not. My desire is to make you aware of the hidden hurts that may be around you. Find that person this Sunday, send them a card to say you care about them, give them a hug to show them love, pray for them to be at peace with God's plan in their life.
This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! Ps. 118:24
3 comments:
My eyes are filled with tears and there isn't much I can think to say, except thank you, Stephanie, for writing this!!!! ~Pam~
Well said, Stephanie. I was reading Isaiah 54 recently -
“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
break forth into singing and cry aloud,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.
2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,
and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
and strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,
and your offspring will possess the nations
and will people the desolate cities.
4 “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
5 For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
the God of the whole earth he is called.
I was reflecting on this very thing this weekend... the women who long to be moms but aren't yet or whose children have died all too soon. I will lift them up in prayer. Thanks Stephanie for this reminder to all.
Andrea
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