As I started to write a post in honor of Mother’s Day, I realized that my heart’s message is the very same this year as it was last year: burdened for those whose pain will be amplified this weekend.
So instead of rewriting what I have already said, I decided to repost last year’s words. And I pray that whatever emotions this weekend stirs, we’d each walk through them with our faithful Father who goes before and behind us in love.
Posts about motherhood will fill cyberspace this weekend. Motherhood. It’s one of those things that brings every single emotion to the table. Every. Emotion. The good, the bad, and the painfully ugly.
And I’m always so burdened for the ones hurting. Those who desperately want to be called a “mama.” Those who quietly long for one more day, one more hour with their own children or own mama who already left this earth…or who runs from relationship. Those who feel heavy with regret and fear and grief. Burdened.
Motherhood is absolutely something to be celebrated. And I do celebrate. It’s the most challenging, most transforming, most pride-crushing, most beautiful journey I’ve ever walked.
And my own mom? Wow. I wouldn’t be who I am if it weren’t for her. The one who was always reading her Bible when I woke up in the mornings as a little girl. The one who prayed me out of those prodigal years. The one who has walked through the deaths of both her parents and husband, keeping the faith and passing it down to me. The one who continues to be my biggest cheerleader today and every day. (I love you, mom.)
But I still weep with those who weep. There’s so much pain in this world. So much brokenness. So much we don’t control. And if you enter this Mother’s Day heavy with burden, I pray you know that you are seen. I mean, really seen.
The God of heaven is the God who sees every hair on our head. He sees every tear we cry behind that closet door. But He doesn’t just see, He knows. And loves. And carries. And is fully present.
He isn’t indifferent to the pain. He isn’t annoyed or frustrated with our emotion. He remembers our humanity. And He’s tender to any and every struggle.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:13-14
I don’t know why He allows what He allows at times. I don’t know. But I do know Him (in as much as a human can scratch the surface of knowing an infinite God). And I know that I know that He’s in control. I know that He wants to be the place our soul finds rest and our feet find strength to take that next step.
I know that He waits to meet you and me in the moments of this. very. day.
So whatever emotion this weekend brings, let’s take it to Him. If it’s joy, then let’s thank Him for grace. But if it’s pain, then let’s depend on Him for strength and healing and hope. He sees you. He sees me. Perfectly.
Fill me, Lord…
How’s your spirit this Mother’s Day?
Ah, Lara. Thank you for this. Blessings, friend.
To you too, sweet sister.
My heart is always heavy this time of year – to the point that I dread the whole month of May. My mom passed away 12 years ago, May 9th. It was a Wednesday just before Mother’s Day & just before her birthday. I was crushed. While it has become bearable, it doesn’t hurt any less that she’s gone. And this time of year always seems to amplify that pain. So I want to thank you for writing about God “really seeing” me. I know I’m loved but it sure helped to see it again in black and white. Bless you!
I’m so sorry for your grief. And yes, remembering how tender God is to our tears is comforting. Praying you sense His presence this weekend.
Lara, I really, really appreciate your heart for the hurting.
This was a touching
article. There have been many shed tears
behind closed doors I know that God sees.
Maybe for this mother’s day I will pray, not just myself but also my
other sister’s who are experiencing sad and heavy hearts. That they will feel
God wrap them in His arms and whispers you are always loved. 🙂
Thank you Lara – this is exactly what I needed to hear right now! What Truthful, compassionate, grace-filled words. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Oh, Lara, tender words. While I love honoring mothers, Mother’s Day is one of the hardest days of the year for me at church. The whole “would all the mothers in the room please stand up” is humiliating. I long to be a Mom. Then the guilt hits. Why am I so selfish that I can’t sit through a few minutes of honoring these amazing women?? Sometimes it just helps to skip that Sunday. I can’t decide what I’ll do this year.
He knows.
Thank you for honoring those for whom Mother’s Day is difficult. I had many years of not being married and wishing desperately to have children. After I married, I spent the next several years as a step-mother. This was even more painful, because we stepmoms fulfill much of the mom role, but don’t even get the recognition of Mother’s Day. Add infertility to the mix, and I was a complete mess this time of year. But I love what you said about truly being seen. I think that’s huge for those who struggle. We just don’t want to be alone in the pain.
I would add too, that He can and does bring beauty from ashes. I am now stepmom, mom to 3 rambunctious adopted boys and foster mom to 3 equally rambunctious boys. It’s as if he saw my pain and disappointment and made up for it 7 times over. Not the journey I would have chosen, but beautiful nonetheless.
I will pray for those here who are hurting this year, because I am well familiar with it, and maybe it helps to know at least one other person is sharing your burden!