Happy Mothers Day
Give her everything she deserves! Adorn her life with praises! Proverbs 31:31 The Message!
Before you think the title has a typo – it is correctly written. This Sunday we will take the time to reflect on the woman that carried us for 9 months; the woman that kissed boo-boos, stroked our hair while we slept, slipped notes of encouragement into our lunch pails, and made sure we always had on clean underwear. Some moms will receive beautifully adorned gifts of love and appreciation, while others will awaken to breakfast in bed served with big smiles and bigger hugs in an attempt to distract from thoughts of what awaits in the kitchen.
The title of “Mother”, however, does not only encompass those who carried the gift of life within their wombs though, does it? How grateful we are to also honor the other women in our lives, and the lives of our children, who have “mothered” us along life’s journey. As I reflect on my life as a child and into adulthood, I have been blessed to have many who have made an indelible mark on my life. My wonderful mother and my amazing grandmother, who are now with the Lord; my beautiful aunt who still is one of my dearest and closest friends; my extraordinary mother-in-law who sits in the presence of the Lord as well, and so very many women of the church in which I grew up in Headland, Al.; so many beautiful and amazing women have touched my life and helped shape me into the person I am today.
When I consider the women who have fingerprints on the lives of my three sons, I will forever be grateful for their influence, their guidance, and their love for my children. I am so thankful that my boys have had “spiritual moms” to speak truth into their lives and have loved them so deeply.
On Sunday, we honor the women who have loved children through a blended family and shared in the rearing of those lives. We honor those mothers who love their children so desperately that they have allowed another to share in the blessing of motherhood with them for the best life for that child through adoption. We honor their choosing life for their children and giving them the opportunity to become all that God created them to be. We honor those mothers who have raised the children borne out of their hearts and another’s womb. And, Sunday we honor those mothers whose wombs were not able to carry the children of their dreams who are now rocked in the arms of Jesus.
And, lastly, when I meditate on the blessings of God manifested in the women of the Global Methodist Church of Pensacola, I am forever grateful for your witness, love, encouragement, prayers, and support that you show me in so very many ways. Your “mothering” love is a great source of strength to me. Your hugs, smiles, and precious laughs are a great comfort and replacement for my mother’s embrace until I wrap my arms around her again in heaven one day.
So, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all of the extraordinary women in our lives. Thank you for loving us, for guiding us, and for being the soft embrace when life is hard and the strong voice of guidance and correction when we wander off course. Although you deserve much more than just one day, may Sunday be full of wonderful reminders of how truly appreciated and loved you are! (just ignore the kitchen – it will be there on Monday!
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