3 Ways to Graciously Handle the Many Emotions of Mother’s Day
Just the thought of Mother’s Day can produce a whole range of feelings.
The emotions of Mother’s Day can be thrilling and heartbreaking! So, maybe like me – you’re already anticipating the annual all-over-the-place highs and lows.
I’ve experienced motherhood as a biological mother, an adoptive mother, a foster mother, a mother-in-law, and a substitute mother.
I’ve had a mother, a mother-in-law, and many mom role models.
I’ve been pregnant and I’ve known the pain of infertility.
Some of you have had miscarriages or abortions. Some have children who died due to illness, accident, or suicide.
Some have given children up for adoption and others have been rejected by children whom they dearly loved.
The mother-child relationship brings out an immense range of emotions because any time we love deeply we place our hearts at risk.
Even adult children can carry the baggage of difficult emotions related to their mothers.
So, as we go into the emotions of Mother’s Day weekend…
Don’t assume everyone you meet feels like celebrating.
Don’t assume you understand how someone feels without hearing their story.
Don’t assume anything – simply listen with love, and pray!
Listen with loving patience and a tender heart.
Love with kindness . . . live the Golden Rule Life.
Pray for all mothers and children everywhere.
Be kind, caring, and compassionate, and extend God’s love to someone you know who might need an extra measure of encouragement this weekend.
And pray…
A Prayer for God’s Help With
the Emotions of Mother’s Day
Father, Since Eve gave birth to Cain and Abel motherhood has carried every possible emotion. Please be with us, Lord. Forgive us for judging our sisters when we don’t know their whole stories. We need you. Help us love each other with kindness and compassion. Help us listen to each other. Help us pray and lift up hurting longing worried minds. Help us care for one another with patient and tender hearts.
Father, please hold close all who are overwhelmed by the emotions of Mother’s Day. Please heal fractured families. Please meet the needs of mothers and children everywhere. Help us all physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
You see our pain, Lord. You see our hopes and desires. Please give each of us everything we need to trust Your love, to believe You care, and to rest in the knowledge that You are with us whatever our current circumstances. Please be with us. Strengthen us. And use us so that we might love each other well. Bless us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I hear from so many of you through prayer requests, notes, and comments. And the truth is there are many many women for whom “Mother’s Day” brings emotions of sadness and heartache. Many of you miss your own mothers and many of you also grieve over your children.
I want you to know that you are seen. I want you to know that I hear you, I love you, and I am praying for you. I want you to know the Lord hears you and loves you!
I want you to know that however you feel about Mother’s Day . . . whether you are a mom or you want to be, or if you carry a burden of grief from circumstances surrounding motherhood in your life, please KNOW that this is what the Lord says about you…
You are wonderfully made. Designed by God Himself.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14(ESV)
You were created with plans and purposes to be used for God’s glory.
I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
You are dearly loved by the King of kings and Lord of lords.
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior.
Zephaniah 3:17
He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
You are precious. You are valued. You have a purpose and you are dearly loved. Your circumstances cannot change that. Mother’s Day and/or your emotions about it will not change that.
You are a child of God!
May we all keep our eyes focused on the Lord this weekend as we love one another in His name and live through the emotions of Mother’s Day.
If you have a specific Mother’s Day prayer request you’d like to share today or if you’re able to pause and pray for others – please visit our Blessing Counters Prayer Page.
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This Mother’s Day is my first without my own mother, Deb. Yes, the emotions are whirling! Thank you for this prayer for mother’s and daughters everywhere.
Blessings!
I believe you wrote a devotion about writing an apology letter to adult children. I’ve looked all over for it and cannot find it. I may have seen it somewhere else but I thought it was from you. Does that ring a bell?
Thank you in advance.
Hi, Kelly. I don’t think I have a post specific to apologizing. I do have this post about Loving Adult Children Well. I hope that helps. God bless you.
Oh Deb,
You touched my heart deeply. The rawness of motherhood filled with pain, regrets, grief and hurt, I believe touches everyone of us. You brought me great comfort through God’s word. I pray it reaches the heart of others as deeply.
God bless you
I’m so glad you were blessed and encouraged, Marily! Thanks, as always, for letting me know. God bless you!
This is my fourth year without my mother passing God bless all that is not with us this Mother’s Day to know this that one day we will all be together in heaven God bless to you all a friend in Georgia
Hi Jessie, thank you so much for visiting. We had a friend who used to say, “Isn’t heaven going to be great? No more goodbyes!” Amen! May God be with you and bless you!
Thank You Deb????????????♥️for A WONDERFUL reminder That WE’RE STILL LOVED ♥️by Our Father???? ????Regardless Of HOW we Were Parented????. And We Can Also Relate To Others Pain ????BUT , We CANNOT ALWAYS KNOW how they ll React To What We Say Bc We Haven’t walked the EXACT path , And People HAVE different emotions . I WAS SO blessed to Have the MOST WONDERFUL Mother in LAW ????????????????????????♥️♥️❗️We LIVED NEXT DOOR to My In-laws For 4 Years ????????????????????♥️WE Miss Them SOOO MUCH ????????????But Having JESUS ????????Guide me HAS been Wonderful ????????????????????????❗️G-d♥️Bless
I was blessed with a wonderful MIL too, Cheri! It’s a true gift from the Lord. Thanks so much for visiting and adding to the conversation. God bless you, my friend!