Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to be thankful for maternity. But the celebration of Mother’s Day can also focus pain.*
I am taking the time this week to pray on my knees for women in several categories. I know specific ladies in nearly all of these categories. And I know some who are in multiple categories.
Who have I missed?
- Mothers who miss their mothers
- Women who have mothers with Alzheimers, dementia, or other illnesses that require care.
- Mothers who have lost a child: such incredible grief – See Christian books on pain and suffering
- Women (couples) struggling with infertility
- Women (couples) who could not have children and now watch friends with grandchildren
- Women who had abusive or neglectful mothers including some who even abandoned them
- Women who clash with their mothers on a personality level
- Mothers who miss husbands who have died
- Women (couples) who are trying to adopt and yet continue to be met with obstacles – See these posts on Russ Moore’s book here and here.
- Women grieved by rebellious children (see this post) and how parents should unpack forgiveness with rebellious children
- Single women who battle loneliness
- Mothers who regret how they raised their children
- Mothers battling “empty nest” syndrome
- Mothers who are estranged from their children and cannot see their grandchildren
- Single mothers trying to do everything on their own
- Women who chose not to have children and feel ostracized or out of place amongst other Christians.
- Mothers overwhelmed by financial concerns
- Mothers worn out physically who are facing other physical problems
- Mothers battling depression
- Mothers who have gone through a painful divorce or who are in painful marriages
- Mothers who regret abortions
- Mothers who cannot communicate with their children during protracted custody proceedings
Do be encouraged by the gospel. As one of the comments below said, “For some, Mother’s Day is difficult because of their experience or non-experience with their mother. Yet it can be transformed into something that is more positive when they think about how God provided someone to fill that void.”
*I will be updating and editing this as I receive input. I have already received excellent input. I have already made 4 revisions based on input in the comments.
I would add two: Those who have lost their mother to death, especially those with a recent loss. Those whose memory of their mother in painful, due to abuse or neglect.
Cindie, your input is so right on that I immediately updated the post.
You missed single dads who raised the kids..was both mom and dad…yet on mother’s day she gets honored for all she did….stinks
Mike – – I was focusing on women in this post – – but I need to keep single dads in mind all the time and esp catch them on Father’s Day. In fact, I need to start that Father’s Day post soon.
I appreciate Mike’s thoughts. When it comes to Mother’s Day, I think we can help by referring to mothers or “the person who filled that role in your life.” For some, Mother’s Day is difficult because of their experience or non-experience with their mother. Yet it can be transformed into something that is more positive when they think about how God provided someone to fill that void.
This is an excellent thought – – I am incorporating the last part into the body of the post – –
I shared your article, and a friend suggested including those whose moms are suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia – their mom is still here, but she’s not herself any more.
Marlene –that so much needs to be on the list. I’m adding it right now.
Women who couldn’t have children and now have friends who are becoming grandparents. Missing out on that now too.
Karen, it’s another one that goes on the list that I hadn’t really considered.
Thanks for sharing. Here’s one for you–mothers whose mothers abandoned them at birth, and who became what they wanted, not what they had. http://www.flourishover50.com/a-mothers-day-message-for-unmothered-daughters/
Chris, I share in your prayer. The universal reality is that life is not fair, people let us down and the scars we receive along the way are as unavoidable and as unwelcome as next week’s laundry cycle. There is little comfort in this knowledge. BUT … there is great comfort and great hope and even greater and growing joy in the knowledge that our eternally faithful God is a ready help in our time of trouble. Fall into His arms. His name is Jehovah-Jireh and He will not fail you. He cannot fail you. His name is at stake.
Chris, would you please add mothers that are forced to not even be allowed to communicate with their children during protracted custody proceedings as a strategy? There are a plethora of mothers (insert any other relationships) that must endure being alienated prior to and beyond. Ultimately, the child(ren) that gave the mothers their title suffer, as well.
Yes Laurie. I cannot imagine how painful that would be.
While I love the idea behind Mother’s Day, I really don’t like the actual day itself. It’s so laden with weights of expectations, regrets, loss, doubt….
I truly dread it every year, even though I love being a mother and daughter.
I kind of wish it was more of a day that honored WOMEN of all ages, instead; for their uniqueness, their beauty, their value. And that in June we could honor all MEN, big and little, for their courage and special place in this old world.
Thanks for the post, Chris!