LackOfNothing

We’re coming up on Mother’s Day. Man, is that a hot topic! I’ve been reading blog post after blog post about what Mother’s Day should be, and how churches should celebrate. While reading these blogs, I also chose to read the comments posted by other readers, which is probably not wise for me to do. I’m not sure why I do this to myself, but I’m continually trying to expand my world by hearing the opinions of people who are not like me. I read a post the other day about recommendations to pastors as to how to handle Mother’s Day, and it stirred something inside me.

I have avoided Mother’s Day services for years. I knew that at Mother’s Day services, many times moms are asked to stand to be honored, and that generally flowers would be handed out to each of them. Last year, I gave it another shot, and it did not turn out well, as you can read here. This year, I have decided that it is best for everyone if I’m not in the service.

Mother’s Day is a great holiday! If my mother were the only mother on the earth, there would still be more than enough reason to set aside a day to celebrate her. Mothers deserve that day! Celebrating Mother’s Day becomes an issue for those who have experienced some sort of pain (I’m not going to list the MANY reasons that people struggle with this special day). For myself, not attending church services is the solution. My thoughts on that are simple:

Mother’s Day should be about mothers, and they should be celebrated.

That’s it.  Mothers deserve to be honored, and if the REAL issue is that I am not a mother, it doesn’t matter if I’m handed a flower or not. It doesn’t change the fact that I AM NOT a mother. Mothers are to be honored; if honoring them reminds me of my pain, then I should not attend. The service itself is not the issue, but rather my emotions. Honor the moms!

But there is one thing that I think needs to change in society: Amy Grant.

I’m teasing… well, kind of. I have never been a fan of her for many reasons, but she is coming to my area and having a concert and speaking event this Mother’s Day weekend. I heard the advertisement on the radio, and it almost made my blood boil. They played a sound byte of Amy advertising the event, in which she says, “Being a mother is the greatest accomplishment”.

Accomplishment.

What did you do, Amy, to accomplish becoming a mother (besides the obvious…)? Did you live a right life, remain faithful in following God’s word, pray for His will in your life, and follow Him every step of the way? Is that what it takes?

No!

You became a mother because God allowed you to. Whether you became a mother through “traditional means” or otherwise, He chose that the best thing for you was to be blessed with a child. He gave you the gift of carrying for one of HIS children here on this earth.  His sovereign plan allowed you to have that wonderful responsibility. All because He saw fit to do so. He accomplished His will in your life.

I’m not saying that moms don’t have accomplishments. Are you kidding me? Being a mother is a huge responsibility. Sadly, I see moms who take that responsibility lightly, and are missing the mark. But when I read posts like this on intentional mothering, written by a sweet friend of mine, I am reminded of the amazing opportunities that come with being a mother. When mothering is intentional, and parenting is on purpose, moms realize that the role they have been given is not about accomplishing things for themselves. It’s about raising that child of God, entrusted to your care, so that they can accomplish great things for God!

That is why we’re all here. It’s not about me. It’s not about us. It’s about Him.

Mother’s Day should be a celebration of the women that have been entrusted with the responsibility of raising a child; they should be celebrated for their love, honored for their efforts, and encouraged in raising that child to follow God. It’s a huge deal. Honor them!