Embracing Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and for too many women this isn’t a day they want to celebrate. We’re bombarded with commercials portraying the perfect image of a mother, but what about the women who deal with infertility, or the women whose mothers abandon or abused them, or the women who grieve the loss of a child, or the women whose children have walked out of their lives. For these women, Mother’s Day hurts.

I was once told that a day would come when I would be thankful for my infertility. The words sounded crass and out of place, but then it happened. Infertility brought me three of the four greatest blessings. Infertility moved us toward adoption and the children God always knew were meant for our family. I’m made a mother through my infertility and my fertility, but mostly by love.

Mother’s Day is about celebrating the nurturing nature in women. It’s about the woman who teaches Sunday School, the one who holds the premature babies in the hospital nursery, the one who reads to children at her local elementary school, and the one who puts aside her freedom to encourage, buildup, or support another person, no matter the age. It’s about compassion and being a shoulder to cry on, but also celebrating good times and laughter.

This year I honor not only my mother, but the step-mother who worked hard to keep a father in my life. And my Granny, who wasn’t biologically related to me, but chose to love me with her whole heart, and with that love, changed my course. And the mother-in-law who encourages me to keep moving toward my dreams. And the sweet woman from my church who disciples me and loves my children like they’re her grandkids. And the birthmothers who put themselves last and my sweet children first.

So, women, can we make this Mother’s Day not about posturing and comparison? Can we honor all mothers, the moms who are still waiting, the moms who are mourning, the moms who made mistakes, and those who did their best? Can we stand beside our sisters who are hurting and love without exception? I think we can.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!