Important Truth About the Blessings & Challenges of Mother’s Day
For many, Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate but for others … not so much. Simply put – we all have to manage the blessings and challenges of Mother’s Day.
So, we’ll look at both…
Let’s start with some positive words of truth to encourage us on the motherhood journey…
A Poem for Mother’s Day
I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I can’t build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink, but I can’t say “no” for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but I can’t prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can’t achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can’t force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral.
I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God’s family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of my life…and I will!
Author ~Unknown (I searched for the author but couldn’t find anyone to credit.)
How we all wish we could complete each of those sentences for our children but all we can do is the valuable beginnings. God has given each of us the freedom to make our own choices and decisions … all we can do is our loving best.
When our grandson was a newborn and our daughter was having a day of insecure anxiety, “she looked at me at said, “What if I’m a terrible mom?”
I looked back at my sweet “baby” girl and said, “You have one job … to love your little boy more than anybody.”
“I CAN DO THAT,” she squealed. “I CAN DO THAT!”
And I said, “You’re going to be a great mom1”
That’s our goal … to show our children God’s love and ours.
To give our children grace even when it’s hard.
To show them it’s a blessing to SEEK, KNOW, TRUST, LOVE, and OBEY the LORD.
To forgive them quickly and guide them gently.
That’s the blessing of Mother’s Day for mothers.
But for many Mother’s Day is challenging.
I’ve given birth and I’ve struggled with infertility. I’ve been a foster mom and an adoptive mom. I’ve had a mother-in-law and I am a mother-in-law … or as I like to call it a “mother-in-love.” Yes, I’ve had a mom and been a mom.
Based on personal experience and countless conversations, I’ve learned that many women dread Mother’s Day.
Some women cry and pray daily to become mothers. Some have lost a child to death. Some have been rejected. Some are handling difficult relationships. Some are burdened by painful memories or are separated from their mothers.
I asked AI to write a summary statement about the emotions of Mother’s Day and this was the response…
On Mother's Day, emotions run high as we celebrate the strong, caring, and loving women in our lives. From the joy of spending quality time together to the gratitude for all the sacrifices made, this day is filled with heartfelt sentiments. Let's cherish every moment and express our love and appreciation with meaningful gestures.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that were 100% true? For me, that sums up the blessings of Mother’s Day but as we pray today let’s pray about the emotions and challenges as well…
A Prayer for Mother’s Day
Father, Mother’s Day has been a holiday for more than 100 years. You established the role of motherhood when Adam and Eve first became parents. You made families and gave us these intimate relationships to love, support, and encourage one another.
And since the first family, those relationships have been built on blessings and plagued with problems.
Today we ask You to work in the hearts and minds of everyone being touched by Mother’s Day. We ask You to bless our families … especially the relationships between mothers and their children. Give all moms the strength and courage needed to trust and lead their children well.
Please heal broken relationships, hurting hearts, and empty wombs. Give us as a society the desire and ability we need to love and care for children who need families. And grant us loving tender hearts to look outside ourselves this weekend and treat each other with love and care. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:14
However you feel about Mother’s Day, our Heavenly Father loves you unconditionally. He always has and He always will. You can trust that He wants what is best for you and your children even when it doesn’t feel like it. He sees the landscape of your lives and is faithfully working in you and around you for your good and His glory.
May the week ahead be filled with much love and many blessings for you and those you love.
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You’re very welcome, Marybeth. Thanks for visiting. God bless you!
Hello Deb.Thanks for your posts they have really helped me alot.God bless.How can I contact you for a personal message?
Hi, Jane – Thank you for your kindness. Yes, you can reach me at – deb@debwolf.com Blessings!
Your words and prayers for Mothers and Mother’s Day are so eloquent, so beautiful! And the poem was full of such truth and honor and sentiment for Mothers everywhere in the world. My Mother did all those things and even more. She was best friend, my biggest cheerleader and confidant, and never once turned me away. Even in my adult life, she would comfort and care for me without me even asking. Mother’s Day is a sad and difficult day for me to get through. She was only 63 when God called her home in 2001. I miss her everyday and sometimes I hurt so much in my longing to still have her here with me. But I am thankful I had her for as long as I did and try to honor her with the way I live my now. I am so very thankful that she taught me about God, His will and His way. She was one of the greatest blessings and most precious gifts that God has even given me, and I can’t wait to see her again in Heaven. I pray blessing upon blessing for all moms out there! And never forget (to those who still have their Mother’s) to tell them you love them, everyday. You never know when God might want them back. Always follow the Commandment from God…HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER. Love to You, Deb and thank you for all you do for all of us! You “mother” us ever so tenderly and oh so sweetly! Blessings, cherished friend!
Kathy,
I am sure that your Mother is looking down from Heaven and feeling so much pride for the woman you are. She sure did do you good by being such a good example. God Bless You my friend.
Hi, Kathy – It sounds like you were blessed with a wonderful mother. Mine has been with the Lord since 2008. I don’t think we’ll ever stop missing them this side of heaven. Isn’t heave going to be wonderful … no more good-byes! Love to you! Have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you Deb for the beautiful poem and prayer. I sent a reply earlier but it did not post for some reason. The poem and prayer say it all. I am grateful for both and for you. I pray that you have a very blessed Mother’s Day. You bless us so much with your love.
Much Love to you.
I sent a reply to you also, but it did not post either! My prayer for you this Mother’s Day, is that Your cup will runneth over with love, gratitude, and honor, from all your children! Without a doubt, they are so gifted and blessed to have the wonderful mother they have in you! You are beautiful inside and out! And thank you for being so encouraging and comforting to me! I am sending all my love and hugs to you, my beautiful, kind, and compassionate friend! I love you and how I would love to sit and listen to the words of wisdom your heart holds. May God bless you and Deb always for your faithful hearts and sweet souls. Blessed Mother’s Day to you both!!
Thank you, Sue. Not sure what caused the glitch. Thanks for your encouragement. I pray that the Lord blessed you abundantly this weekend. Hugs!
What beautiful words and prayers for all the mothers. It brought me tears everything written is so true of what mothers want for our children. We can only teaching them about life, morals, respect, and love but they have free will to live how they want. I’m blessed to have two beautiful loving, respectful sons but sometimes I still have to steering them in the right direction. Mother’s Day is a sad day for me since I lost my mother 5 years ago. She gave me lots of love and taught to be a loving and respectful women and mother. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and make sure you tell your mothers you love them if they are still with you. Once they are gone you will miss them and all that we have are the beautiful memories.
Thank you Deb for such beautiful words and prayers you always have a way with touch my heart.
Hi Ana! Thank you for your kind encouragement. I miss my mom, too. It’s a loss we carry with us always. May the Lord bless you with a wonderful rest of the week.
Oh Deb, what a lovely post for Mother’s Day. I especially love the poem you found as well. I am pausing to pray for all the moms who are struggling with Mother’s Day this year. So hard. 🙏🩷
Thank you, Donna! I’m so glad it blessed you! That poem blessed me as well. May you enjoy a wonderfully blessed Mother’s Day weekend.
I miss my mother so very much and what I wouldn’t do just for a big hug.
I miss my daughter,we talk but our relationship is fractured.
Wishing you all a very blessed mother day 🙏
I’m so sorry, Joyce. I miss my mom and a daughter as well. You definitely understand the sadness that is often inspired by the day. Praying you have many reasons for joy this weekend. Blessings!