After Mother’s Day

It’s the week after Mother’s Day and you survived. For some, Mother’s Day is not always filled with cards and sunshine. Sometimes it’s accompanied with a heavy (maybe even angry) heart. Feelings not typically associated with a day to honor mothers. If that’s your situation, I am sorry.

But you made it

With Mother’s Day behind us for another year, maybe you’re one of the few who are relieved. No more fake smiles plastered on your face. No more pretending to be interested in stories shared from others about how awesome motherhood is. No more biting your lip when everything in you wants to scream it’s not like that for everyone.

You’re not a monster

Be kind to yourself. Know you’re not a monster because you don’t feel the same as others. Circumstances are all different.

Maybe they don’t know you lost a child.

Or you never shared the horrors surrounding your childhood and how you’re lucky to be alive.

I’ll never understand

I’ll never understand why God places some children with parents who aren’t meant to be mommies or daddies. Or why he calls some small children home much earlier than anticipated.

Both scenarios are impossible to understand. But they happen. Too often.

Yet God …

While God encourages us to know His heart (John 3:16), I sometimes struggle to understand His plan. Yet I’m confident that I can trust His perfect plan, even when it makes no sense.

And so can you.

When those times come

If you’re a survivor of Mother’s Day, take heart. God loves you. Sees you. Wants to heal your heart. When those dark times come, the best thing to do is not bury them, but lean into them. But don’t go alone. Take wisdom with you. Take with you words of wisdom.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Know you are not alone. He hears your sorrow … and anger. He hears it all. King David spoke of this in Psalms.

Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record?
Psalms 56:8

Remember that God never said our life would be easy, but he did say he’d be with us during dark times.

… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

We have a responsibility

I know it may be difficult, but we have a responsibility to do our part. We need to remember that feelings are fleeting and Truth is forever. We mustn’t let feelings rule our lives. Experience them–sure. Wallow in them–absolutely not. There’s another way. Call on Jehovah-Rapha (or Yahweh-Rafa), the God who heals.

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
    save me and I will be saved,
    for you are the one I praise.
Jeremiah 17:14

You’ve got this!

Focus on what’s eternal, not what’s fleeting. You’ll be glad you did when the next Mother’s Day come around.

Looking for a Do-Over?