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Once again at this time of year, our thoughts turn to our Mother's as we prepare to pay tribute to them on this special day which is set aside, just for them.
Do we really need a special day in the year to pay tribute to our mothers? I think not. Every day should be special for the woman who has raised you. Who has loved, cared and been there for you when others where not.
A mother is not necessarily the woman who gave birth to you. Yes, that woman is your birth mother, but, it is the person responsible for raising you, for being there when you were sick, hurt, lonely or sad who is your real mother.
Many women have not been able to bear children for one reason or another still, they carry a great love for children in their hearts. If you really stop and think about it, I'm sure somewhere in your past you will remember someone other than your mother who showed love, care and understanding toward you. How many childless women come to the aid of their sisters, brothers, friends or even strangers? They help because of the love they have, the love they are willing to share with others.
Well, should not these women also be honoured on this special day set aside for Mothers. I think they should. Mother's Day is not just for mothers, but, it is a day to show honour and respect to all women. On this day, the second Sunday in May, why not invite one of these special women to share in your joy and celebration, one who otherwise may be alone.
When I think of Mother's Day, I think of the love, the laughter, the happiness we shared as a family. Sneaking down to the kitchen with Daddy, my brother while Mom pretended to be sleeping peacefully in bed. With a great flourish we prepared a special breakfast to be taken to her in bed and in the middle of the tray a rose just for her. Yes, to me Mother's Day is time of happy memories.
Unfortunately, for many this day brings sadness for a variety of reasons. Mothers' who have lost a child due to death, who may have miscarried or those whose child has gone missing, endure a deep ache within their hearts on this day. Their arms ache to once again hold this child who is no longer there and sadness overwhelms them. Those who have not been able bear children often feel anger and depressed on this day as they see Mother's with their children smiling and beaming with pride.
Those who were abused as children by their Mother's are filled with memories of the horrors they suffered. For them Mother's Day is a mockery. So, as we can see Mother's Day is not always the joyous day which is portrayed by the advertising industry.
Motherhood a gift from God
Eve, created by God was the first woman and mother to exist. We have all descended from Eve. She is the mother of all, the first to bear children, so her name which means "Life" was well chosen. Motherhood is a precious gift from God. He wants and expects his children to honour their mother and this has been decreed in his commandments. ("Honour your father and your mother")
Mother's are also a gift to their children from God. Mothers are different they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their personalities and outlook on life are shaped by their surroundings. Some may be strong, willing to fight for their children. Others are easily intimidated, their spirits broken. They don't have the strength to fight and just allow circumstances to control them and their children. Each mother is unique, she is not like any other. When we give birth to a child, we don't get a manual telling us what to do. We learn from experience, but, it can be made easier when we rely upon the guidance of God to help us.
Just as we are not perfect, neither is our mother. She makes mistakes, looses her temper, is not always available when we need her. In some instances she may have abused or abandoned us. There may have been times when we were deeply hurt by her. Yet, she is still our mother, the one who gave us life. We may detest how she treated us and wish she had not been our mother, but, we can't change what happened. We have to learn to let it rest. We must learn to forgive her, just as God has forgiven us our sins. If we can not forgive our mother and be at peace with her, these feeling lay dormant inside us affected any relationship we may form with others.
What a wonderful Mother's Day gift it would be for both you and your mother if the past could be put behind. It can be done. Why not think about making peace this Mother's Day. Allow God to work in you both, to heal your wounds, to bring comfort, to bring forgiveness and finally to have a relationship based on trust and friendship. It will not be easy to do this and there may be many set backs, but with God's help it will be accomplished. Surely if God can love and forgive us with all our faults, we can find it in our heart to forgive the one who gave us life, to put the hurt behind and live in peace.
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