Dear Momma-
Happy Mother's Day. Today I smiled and thought of you while my girls enjoyed orange push ups and mac and cheese! I wish you were here. While my girls made mother's day cards, I made one for you too. I decorated it with butterflies as I remember you liked them, and I thought of the new creation I am becoming. I'm sad that you didn't realize that you were a virtuous woman while you were on Earth. I know that you have now seen God's glory and know His good opinion of you because of Jesus. Please forgive me for not always esteeming you highly. You trusted in Jesus and His blood covers all your sin. Today I'm choosing to see you as he does! I forgive you for all I've held on to.
Today I will rise up and call you blessed (Happy, fortunate, and to be envied) because a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord shall be praised. (Prov 31:28,30) I know in heaven you will turn and give all the praise to the Father who has always had a plan for our family.
Momma, I don't want to live for men's praise-but I think you would be proud of me. Not because of what I've done, but because I am trusting in Jesus more each day. I am believing that his blood has cleansed me and made em a righteous woman. I'm believing that my childhood and past were his plan for my life and that he wants to use in to bring glory to his name.
I want to remember good times with you momma and I want to create good memories with my girls. I know you would love them!!! Thank you for caring for me and being my momma. I know you sacrificed much to care for your children and I know that you have your reward in heaven. Sometimes I still wish you were here, but I know you are way better in heaven where there's no more tears! And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:10
Momma,
I know you miss me, especially on this day. If I were still on earth with you I would honor and celebrate the life you gave me today. Don't be sad for me, I have no unmet needs here in heaven. God has promised "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;" (Isaiah 66:13a). I am comforted by God's great love...and momma, I want you to be comforted too!!!
I know that God cares for you during this season of life without me. When Jesus was suffering on the cross, He made plans for his mom to be cared for after His death (John 19:26-27). Mom, He has made a plan for you after my death as well. He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Since His ways are higher that our ways we don't understand why I'm not with you now, but momma, I'm having fun here!!! Jesus came to earth for you to have fun too-He says "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)" John 10:10. So momma, make the most of your days on earth, they go so quickly. We will one day be praising Jesus together forever! Rest in God's plan for you-and trust that your baby is in a place where there is no more pain and no more tears!
Sometimes I don't like 'commercialized' holidays...like Mother's day! In a way it seems we are pressured into stopping to celebrate the special people in our lives, but maybe that's a good thing. Since I'm reflective, holidays usually make me stop and think as well...so maybe they do serve a purpose. This mother's day I am full of joy unspeakable, however that has not always been the case for me. Yesterday as my girls were decorating cards for all their "grandmas" I had time to reflect over the seasons of mother's day in my life. I felt led to comfort those in any trouble with the comfort I have received from God (2 Cor 1:3-4). May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
As an adult, one of my first seasons of mother's day was that of 'celebrating' mother's day without my momma! Last year for mother's day I was with our youth at church; they were encouraged to write a letter expressing their gratitude to their mom and then read it to her! Wow! I wish I had that wisdom at their age. Yesterday, I wrote my mom a letter. I won't be able to read it to her, but it was very good for me to write it and realize that God chose my mom to be my mom!
Another season of mother's day for me was when I desired children, but was still waiting. I know there are many women in this stage, whether young and just married, or older-having tried to conceive for several years. While I was waiting, I prayed that God would remove the desire from my heart if children were not His will for my life. The desire never left, and I was comforted by this promise. He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. Psalm 113:9
After my having my first child, I experienced a miscarriage. It was a painful time, but looking back now I know it drew me closer to the Lord. When something inexplicably negative happens you only have two choices: run to Him or run away from Him. I am thankful that in running to Him I received His comfort. There are many mothers who have experienced the death of a grown child, a miscarriage-or anything in between who can relate to a season of mother's day when dealing with loss. he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; Isaiah 25:8a They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away Isaiah 35:10 May this letter comfort you today (click here)
I don't have teenagers yet, but already I see the rebellious nature of children! Mothering is hard work and there are seasons of struggling-whether losing our joy or dealing with a rebellious child! Here are some encouraging promises from God's word if you are in a struggling season this mother's day. All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace. Isaiah 54:13 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. Isaiah 43:5 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
Remember you are not alone in the journey of motherhood! So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
This year, as I said, I am celebrating mother's day in a season of joy! It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 2 John 1:4I am realizing that Jesus made me a virtuous woman! He gave me all I need to be a good momma!! But this is nothing I've done-it's all because of Jesus! I am learning to trust what he says about me instead of trying to be what he says is already true about me(see Philippians 3:16) Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying], Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all. Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! Proverbs 31:28-30 I'm realizing that Proverbs 31 is true of me because when Jesus shed his blood for me and I trusted in his sacrifice, I exchanged my sin for His righteousness!!!! Proverbs 31(and all God's promises) are true for you when you put your trust in Him!
Happy Mother's Day!!! May you celebrate this 'commercialized' holiday in a season of joy unspeakable! If you are in another season this mother's day I pray you will run to Jesus and believe that Joy will Come!!!
Today we would have celebrated momma's 69th birthday. I wonder what she would look like, what she would act like, what she would dress like (lol) now. I'm sure she would enjoy my girls and all her grandchildren. I know she must be just having a grand time in heaven, but it feels like she missed out on so much here in MY life (yes, I sense the selfishness there:)) She missed my college graduation, wedding, married life, childbirth, child rearing...all the things you want a momma to be there for and answer your questions and tell you she's proud of you. I know relationships aren't perfect, but it seems like you could trust a mom more than anyone when dealing with marriage or child rearing issues...that she would listen (not judge) and give sound advice. Of course, I am just imagining this, I have no knowledge by experience.
I won't experience having a relationship with my mom as an adult because twelve years ago last month, my momma died. I won't get to hear the answers to my questions about her life or mine (and I won't get the sometimes unwanted advice that some of you may deal with). For some reason this year it hit me hard...I almost broke down when I went grocery shopping and saw the poinsettias. That was the last thing I gave momma...I went to her apartment the week before she died and tried to cheer her up and decorate for Christmas with flowers. This December, I disliked poinsettias and struggled to keep my joy all Christmas season. Then, God reminded me that His plans are to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future(Jeremiah 29:11) He reminded me of His promise in Psalm 126 that those who sow with tears will reap in songs of joy. He showed me that He wants to satisfy me with His love that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days!!(Psalm 90:14-15)
So I got my joy back, but still wondered how God planned to meet my desire to have a momma. Last year God walked me through the whole daddy thing...that He is my daddy since I don't have on on earth. But when I brought this momma thing to Him, I was surprised at what he showed me. When I complained about all things I wanted a momma for, He showed me that He meets all those needs!
One of the things I wanted in a mom was the unconditional love-the always thinking of you kind of love...God showed me Isaiah 49:15-16 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Wow....He's even better than a momma! He may not "call on the phone" to check on me several times a day like I would expect momma to do...but He is even closer than a phone call!
Another thing I desired in a momma relationship was comfort. As a momma to small girls I love that they can just crawl up in my lap and snuggle for comfort when they have a rough time...I wanted that comfort too! God showed me Isaiah 66:10-13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Wow! Isn't God good!!
One of the things I 've wished I had in a mother is one to go to for advice and wisdom, someone who's been there, done that! Proverbs 2:6 says For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. I want MOMMY wisdom in these areas:
M anage-how to manage my time O bey-how to live out obedience to God's plan M oney-how to be a good steward of God's provision M arriage-how to enjoy life with my husband Y oung'uns :)-how to raise children for God's glory God brought to my mind James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Colossians 2:3 tells me that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. So, again God has given immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine!! He has way more wisdom to offer than even the wisest momma out there!
I have always tried to be so independent....but I need others, especially without a momma. I have searched for a person (or people) to fill the 'momma' desires I have- for wisdom, comfort, love...thinking they could all be filled by one person (or several) in the absence of my mother. What I am discovering is that God can meet all my needs and desires! When I abide in Christ, he will fill all the needs of my heart. Of course He is good and has also given me other believers to encourage me in this life(Hebrews 10:24-25). Usually when I really need them, that's when I reject and push them away, but we're working on it (that's for another post:). He has blessed me with wonderful family, friends, mentors and spiritual mommas...and I know there will be more! But I will remember that HE IS ALL I NEED!!!!
