💐💐Happy Mother’s Day to ALL Women 💐💐

One of my greatest joys in life has been to be a mother….to my own children AND to those God put into my life “to mother”. Nothing is so dear as the results of a hug or a word of wisdom I shared with someone who needed that hug or word. It is so unique and special how God designed a woman’s heart to love and nurture tenderly and teach wisely.

Leaving home at 17 to marry, I sure needed my mom’s wisdom. Besides washing clothes and cooking tips, I needed her wisdom about sharing life with a man. I remember when I wanted to run “back home” to her because of what seemed to be the biggest “spat” EVER. I’m so glad she wouldn’t let me. She reminded me that I HAD left “home”, and my new home was with the man I loved and “this little spat would pass”. And, it did.

Then, one year later, our son was born and I needed her even more. The times he was sick (and, the times I got sick), the times when, as a couple, we hit a rough patch and life seemed so out of control, the times when I needed her voice to comfort me. In God’s sovereign plan for motherhood, He gave me a mother that was my mentor, my best friend and my confidant. And, not only did He give me my mother, but He gave me the dearest mother-in-law EVER. God also gave me other older women in age and in faith (and continues to do so) that have come alongside and loved me “like a mother.”

After these many seasons of my life, watching and learning from my resilient, strong, and determined Mom during the time of my daddy’s long illness, and then as a single mom after he graduated to heaven, to my own learning to be Mom to my children and to other young women, I can assure you that God has special plans for women. He gave us life to give life to others. God’s plans for us ensure that we are “mothered” and that we “mother”.

I honor all the beautiful and selfless women who “mother” those around them with God’s love and with His wisdom that encourages and blesses them.
Proverbs 31:26 “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

The following words are from an anonymous writer, but I claim them as my own to my beloved friends, sisters, mothers and all women on this special day. If you are a woman, this is for YOU!

Happy Mother’s Day!
To those who gave birth this year to their first child,
— we celebrate with you.
To those who lost a child this year,
– we mourn with you.
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains,
–- we appreciate you.
To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away,
— we mourn with you.
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment,
– we walk with you.
Please forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.
To those who are step moms, foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms,
– we need you.
To those who have warm and close relationships with your children,
– we celebrate with you.
To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and are distanced from your children,
– we sit with you.
To those who lost their mothers this year,
– we grieve with you.
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother,
– we acknowledge your experience.
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood,
– we are better for having you in our midst.
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year,
– we grieve and rejoice with you.
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising,
– we anticipate with you.

This Mother’s Day, we walk with each of you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.

May God bless you and yours this Mother’s Day.
— Author Unknown