What Does Mother’s Day Mean To You?
When I mention Mother’s Day, what comes up for you?
I’m so happy for you if you are really celebrated, but many women are not.
Mother’s Day can be a tough day for many. Women who have children eagerly wait by mailboxes and telephones and on the edge of their seat to see if anyone will acknowledge their day.
Women who aborted or surrendered babies for adoption often spend Mother’s Day lamenting what could have been.
For women whose mamas have died or those who have crappy relationships with their moms, Mother’s Day dredges up lots of old memories that either hurt or cement the realization there won’t be any new ones.
There are women who are desperate for children, but have none. They are expected to put on brave smiles and exuberantly celebrate those who do.
Women in the throws of child-rearing years – the ones who could really benefit from a day off, are the ones who work overtime on Mother’s Day to make sure the shopping, meal prep, cleaning and decorating is done so their mother or mother-in-law can be recognized and honored.
Even husbands fret and worry about Mother’s Day. Is a card enough? How about chocolates? Should there be flowers?
Changing the narrative of Mother’s Day.
May I remind you that before there was Mother’s Day, there was a Father in Heaven who created you and celebrates you as his beloved child. On this Mother’s Day, instead of letting greeting card companies, old memories, television commercials, comparisons, or regrets define your day, celebrate who you are in Christ.
Created in the likeness of God Himself.
Gen. 1:26-27
Not by chance but by choice.
Eph. 1:4-5
The only authorized image bearer he allows.
Ex. 20:4
Before you were called or commissioned, before you were given a ministry or a marriage, in advance of every good or godly decision, God blessed you. Gen. 1:28
He calls you his masterpiece.
Eph. 2:10
You are loved to the moon and back.
Ps. 103:11
He says you are forgiven and can have a fresh start, a do-over whenever you need it.
1 John 1:9
God says you are sealed with his promise.
Eph. 1:13
He reminds you that are created for a purpose.
Jer. 29:11
He says he is for you, not against you.
Ps. 8:31
You are the apple of his eye.
Zechariah 2:8
You a pearl of great price.
Matthew 13:45-46
The Royal Treatment
This Mother’s Day, I hope you get the Royal Treatment, candy and flowers and foot rubs, but even if nothing goes as expected, don’t let the door bell or the mailbox or the empty spare room determine your value.
Let God do that. To him, you are all that and a bag of chips … plus a brownie.
You are:
- Loved.
- Accepted.
- Forgiven.
- Chosen.
- Blessed.
What kind of a day are you having today? I’d love to hear from you, leave a comment below and I’ll read every single one.
Scripture: See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1 NIV
Prayer: God, thank you for celebrating me everyday. I rest in your love and acceptance of me. Amen.
Hi! I’m so glad I’m a child of God! The spring brings an arrays of color and freshness to me. I have so much to be excited and grateful for. My sons have wonderful families and they are great guys. Yet life often gets in the way of spending time and having a good chat. I miss that. I finally get it ; I can talk to Jesus ca being upset with them! Thanks Jesus ?
Hard to remember that Jesus will fill that gap when you long to be with your earthly family. Well done to redirect your thinking. 🙂
Thank you for this message. My Mother’s Day was uneventful and lonely!! Painful physically and emotionally! Thanks for reminding me that God loves me even when I feel like giving up.
So sorry Mary, I know you are not alone in those feelings. May you experience God’s presence and pleasure with you.
Thanks Robyn! I lost my mom an hour before Mother’s Day in 1983. I was only 29 and an only child. She died suddenly and the card that I had bought her laid on my counter for days before I could grasp she would never get it. I also lost a child and then was never able to have any more. So, MD was a nightmare for me for years. But, when I remarried, my husband decided we would celebrate Wife’s Day on this weekend. So, now it is special again. So spoiled this year 🙂 Giant cinnamon roll for breakfast, a hanging plant, Texas Roadhouse dinner, and a sundae at Culver’s to top it off!! But, if I didn’t have him and get all those things, it would have been a hard day still. So, this article was good and I will remember it on MD’s in the future!
Hope you were spoiled today and have a blessed week!!
Wow, what a story of restoration, Linda. So glad you have this life now. 🙂
Robyn, God blessed me by sending my granddaughter over early. She blessed me with kind words, a card and gifts, all unexpected. My second daughter, who is an alcoholic, did text me. My grandson who graduated from Illinois State yesterday sent me a sweet text. My oldest grandson who is a Sgt. In the Marine Corp called me and talked to me and lastly my youngest brought me some patunas and candy. I have much to give thanks for. I loved what you said about Mother’s Day. It’s so true. I’m sure my daughter, the alcoholic drank to forget the pain of giving up her daughter for adoption. Even when it’s the right thing there can still be much pain. Thanks for reaching out to all on this day.
Hi Barbara,
How wonderful for you! Sounds like a great day.
So glad you were celebrated. 🙂
I loved your blog!! I know who I am in Christ and what a difference that makes as I was all alone today, but I was fine. I lost my dear husband two years ago on Mother’s Day so that brought back memories. My only child (son) who lives in Florida called me on my landline, but I had already left for church as I had to greet today. I left my cellphone in the car and good thing I did as he called me on it during the church service and finally left a text to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day and told me he loved me and to call him at my convenience. Which I did when I got home. He also deposited $50.00 in my checking account on Friday so I went to Countryside Greenhouse on Sat and got my flowers for the season. LOVELY!!! Love that place. So I am happy even though I am alone I am NOT ALONE. Praise God.
Hi Ruth,
I love this Mother’s Day account. Thanks for writing.
I love Countryside, too. 🙂
Today was rough, trying to keep a smile on my face as I watch all the Moms with living kids be celebrated. As I get judged looks because I dont have a “kid”. I can’t have kids due to infertility. We had a small window of hope years ago that quickly ended when my body rejected the notion of being pregnant. So I put on my happy face to go celebrate my mom, then come home and cry.
Hi Heidi,
I am so sorry, That must be awful. I hear your pain on so many levels. Praying for God’s peace and presence in your life. Know you are loved and bear his image even if you don’t bear children.
I began my day with celebrating the life God gave me with my brother Roger, my sister DoriAnn, and husband and two brother-in-laws in mom’s church. Following that we shared mom’s first corn dog at age 97.
Gathering more family members for a covered dish lunch in the apple orchard where she is still living and enjoying the sunrises in the east and the sunsets in the west.
Robyn, I just finished reading your book. You remind me of the first butterfly I saw on Mother’s Day yesterday down at the pond on the Woelfel homestead farm. It knew where to land safely.
Happy for your 4-ever Dave!
God continue to lavish you with surprises beyond your wildest dreams.
Thank you for your e-mails.
Kathleen Arndt
Oh, Robyn….I’m so glad you wrote this! I can relate with a couple of the situations you mentioned. Thanks for highlighting (because we all need to be reminded) how we are viewed by our loving Father.
Hi Alinda,
Pretty name. And you’re welcome. Perfectionists need to be reminded how much we’re loved cuz we’re so hard on ourselves. Glad you reinforced that message here.