What else can I say about Mothers’ Day? Between preaching and writing columns, haven’t I already said all I have to say? I turned to my Bible.
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is human kind that you are mindful of us
human beings that you care for us?”
(Psalm 8:3-4)
The psalmist is overwhelmed by the vastness of the universe and the generosity and abundance of God’s blessings given to us. I thought of my moms, both of them, very different from each other, yet generous in their love for me. God blessed me through both of them.
Being a Mom is a commitment that continues even into the next life. What do mothers do for us? When we are little mom’s job is physically exhausting: feeding, clothing, sleepless nights. Then, our troubles were small, the“fixes” simple. And, we returned her love with hugs and words of love.
Mothering teenagers is emotionally tougher. Our troubles are bigger and we don’t always want Mom’s help. She has to let go a little and watch us make mistakes. That process intensifies in our young adult years. We know everything, Mom, nothing. Our hugs are fewer and further between. We often don’t notice her in the background worrying, praying and trying so hard not to interfere.
I’m sure today it amuses both my moms when I struggle to keep out of the way of my own grown children. When I succeed, I can hear both moms cheering for me. When I interfere and offer unwanted advice, I feel them reach through that veil that separates us and say, “Yes, leaving them to struggle is tough, but you’re doing okay.”
Neither of my moms was perfect, but I was blessed by their love. This year I celebrate Mothers’ Day by remembering the work of their hands, the abundance of their love. This year I thank God who blessed me with their care, their example, their ability to stand back and let me fail, their joy at my success. This year I offer my poem of thanksgiving to God.
Thank You, God, for Mothers
When I consider your gift of mothers in this world,
Their caring, the work of their hands,
Their loving, the gift of their hearts,
I am humbled that you have created mothers for us.
When I consider how hard it must have been for them,
To let us make our own choices knowing often the pain those choices will bring,
When I consider the abundance of support we have received,
I am humbled that you have created mothers for us.
Thank you, God, for mothers, some more perfect than others.
Thank you, God, for knowing that we need a mother’s love.
Thank you, God, for being a mother for us all.
