A Note to Those Hurting on Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to so many of you precious friends!  

Today is a sweet day to celebrate my precious girls as well as my mother, stepmother and Mother in law that God has blessed me with.  I adore the handmade cards and notes with backward letters, the girl's excitement as they jump on me in bed with hugs around the neck and early morning snuggles.  I don't take one of these moments for granted because for so long I remember waking up on Mother's Day wishing I could sleep the day away and pretend the day did not bring me pain as I ached to be a mom too.

Many of you know my story.  If you don't, read my infertility story here.
Each year I write this post on Mother's day. (You can read the others here and here). You know that my heart holds a special place for those hurting today.  Women with infertility, women who have lost mothers, grandmothers or children, experienced the tragedy of a miscarriage, the ache of waiting for your child over an ocean as you walk the path of adoption, for birth mothers who made the courageous choice to give their child up for adoption. Whatever the reason...

...this day I pray for YOU.

I know your pain.  I have walked it.  In fact, this year is tough because I lost my beloved grandmother (Mema) last June.  My poor mother is struggling as well since I am far away.  This day that reminds me of the importance of family.  The importance of a mother that raised and loved me.  And my mother missing her own mother.  This year I sent her flowers but I also sent a daisy plant, my grandmothers favorite flower, to plant in remembrance of her.  She was so touched and I'm glad it helped her know I'm missing her too. I could never forget my Mema and all she was to me.

Just like I can't forget the journey of pain that led me to motherhood.  I now count it pure joy but during that time...it was hard to find even the smallest speck of hope.  I wanted to be a mom.  I was tired of feeling incomplete, alone, left out of a supposed "mother's club."  When I was pregnant, I had someone say to me, "You are no longer on the outside of the mom's club." Though the intent was kind...I found it so heart breaking. That another person HAD seen me on the outside of a club whose only membership requirement was the one thing I most coveted...a child.  It seemed insensitive and surprisingly shortsighted.

Motherhood is not some exclusive club.  It's a divine gift and the hardest, most rewarding thing I have ever endeavored in my life. It is a blessing that is cyclical.  A heritage your born from and continue.  It is lifelong and God ordained.

~ God makes the world all over again, whenever a little child is born. ~

Jean Paul Richter

And we are all affected by mothers.  

Having one.

Wanting one.

Being one. 

Given up by one.

Missing one.

Hurt by one. 

Loved by one.

So each year I let those of you who wake up on this day hurting that I am praying for you.  Loving you.  Not knowing your name or seeing your face but understanding your heart and wanting you to be washed in the comfort and love of the Father. The God who gives strength to the weary, hope to the hopeless, comfort to those who are mourning, asks that you cast your burdens upon Him, loves you with an everlasting love, forgives every single one of your transgressions, and will restore health to you and heal all your wounds.  Beloved, He is able and HE WILL!

I love each of you as I pray and ask God to speak to you personally and wrap His loving arms around you.  May you know His presence, His redeeming power, and perfect love.

Blessings and lots of Hugs to each of you!

xoxo