MOTHER OR NOT

Devotional for Sunday 5/12/13

I heard this poem read on Family Life Radio this past week and want to share it here.  The author, Amy Young, has posted it as a resource for pastors and is very happy when it continues to be shared even a year after she wrote it as an open letter to pastors. 

The wide spectrum of mothering

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year – 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 experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running

away—we mourn 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 – we celebrate

with you

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children –

we sit with you

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we

acknowledge your experience

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 have aborted children - we remember them and you on this day

To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children -

we mourn that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be

To those who step-parent - we walk with you on these complex paths

To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren, yet that dream is not to

be - we grieve with you

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 you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and

we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.

By Amy Young (http://messymiddle.com)

I also have felt for years that while we honor mothers and motherhood on this special day, at the same time we must be sensitive to those who are not mothers, those who have had difficulty being mothers, or those who have not had a good relationship with their own mothers.  But whether or not we had or have a good mother relationship, one that is loving and nurturing, we know where we can find one.  In the arms of our Savior we have that perfect parent.  He brings us joy and protection, and in the end - salvation!

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11 NIV

written by Jan Andersen