In many countries and cultures a special day is set aside to honor mothers and recognize the hard work and heavy responsibility mothers share as they bring forth, nurture, and mold new citizens.
To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.
Genesis 3:16 (ESV)
In the midst of the flowers, gifts, and special meals, this day can be bittersweet for some mothers. The pain of childbirth is nothing compared to the loss of a child.
I’m thinking today of mothers with grown children who have become estranged,
gone astray, or have turned away from their mother’s values.
As children grow, it is expected that their mothers will correct, instruct, and advise; once those children become adults the relationship changes. Words of instruction can become unwelcome interference and mothers must stand by as each child walks his or her own path through dangerous and sometimes uncharted territory.
What can a mother do when she sees her grown child stepping in the wrong direction? In a recent study group, some of the women were sharing their heartache over this issue. After a few tears and some laughter, we agreed that the only solution is to simply love our wayward children, exactly as God loves us; to be there for them without grumbling, grateful for the gift they are, or have been, in our lives.
8 Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.
1 Peter 4:8-9 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
9 Welcome people into your home and don’t grumble about it.
If you are a mother or if you ever had a mother, I wish you a blessed Mothers Day!
Power Walking with Jonna 