I would guess that I am not the only woman who has ever found herself struggling on Mother’s Day.
Perhaps like me, you have walked or are still walking the long, heartbreaking road of infertility. Or maybe you’ve had the heart-wrenching experience of losing a child or your mother. Maybe you find yourself grieving over a prodigal child. Or perhaps God has called you to a life of singleness and you’ll never wear the title of “momma.”
So often in this fallen world, we face a reality that is not what we envisioned, and celebrating Mother’s Day may be one of those unwelcome realities. If you have only ever known joy on Mother’s Day, then give the Lord an extra measure of praise for His grace and goodness to you. (Your sanctification has likely come from another means.) But maybe this Mother’s Day could be different. Regardless of the heartache or joy, that previous Mother’s Days have brought, maybe the idea of mothering could be seen through a different lens this year.
In Titus 2, Paul instructs the “older women” to “teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children . . . so that the word of God may not be reviled” (v.3-5). As Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth says, “each of us is an older woman to someone.” As we look at mothering through a new lens, godly, “older” women become spiritual mothers to those younger than they are.
Your life is always teaching by the words you say, the activities in which you participate, the love you show to the Body. Whether single or married, as a spiritual mother, make it your purpose to consistently encourage the protection of godly marriages. Seize opportunities to encourage other moms. In a day of so much comparison and “mama shaming,” be the cheerleader, but also be willing to come alongside a mom who is struggling, speaking God’s truths in love. Finally, be willing to invest your life in the lives of other women. Just as any mother does, a spiritual mother speaks, laughs, cries, shares, trains, encourages, and loves.
As Mother’s Day comes this year, I pray that you’ll see the spiritual children the Lord has given you and rejoice in the gift and unique opportunity to be a spiritual mother whether you ever actually wear the title of “momma” or not. Happy Mother’s Day!
This article was written by Gina Bowling.