Pictures are floating all over Facebook of mommas when they were pregnant, celebrating the joy of carrying those sweet lives in their womb. There are pictures of mommas who have adopted, celebrating the excitement of carrying those sweet lives in their hearts until they could wrap their arms around those little bodies.
For the grieving mothers, there are few or no pictures. What would they share? The pregnancy announcement later retracted? A womb that never swelled to “full term”?
Motherhood. It never looks like what we imagined.
Some of us carried our babies for days, weeks. Some of us birthed our babies and had but a few precious hours with them. Some of us have sleepless infants and rowdy toddlers. Some of us have eager readers and curious tweens. Some of us have audacious teens and dedicated young adults.
No two stories are written the same. And no two mothers are the same.
Some women will be recognized as mothers on Sunday as they gather their quiver around them. Some women will hide in shadows, afraid to step out and claim the children no one sees.
As I read through John 16 today, Jesus’ words to His disciples leaped off the page as I celebrate and grieve this Mother’s Day. He said, “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” Since we know the end of this part of God’s story, we know he was speaking of His resurrection. The disciples were confused but didn’t ask Jesus outright what He meant. Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.” (16:19-20)
With Christ, they would weep and lament. The Pharisees would rejoice that Jesus had been “taken care of” on the cross, but the disciples’ sorrow wouldn’t last forever. They were promised an ultimate outcome of joy.
Mommas who have said goodbye before they said hello endure similar sorrow. Death knows no stranger, and mourning accompanies it as a companion. But, friend! This sorrow will not last forever. The world may seem to go on without us, to rejoice in the things it enjoys… but in the end, we get the lasting joy.
For a reason I don’t yet understand, we have the opportunity to walk the path of grief. But we don’t grieve as those who have no hope. They see no end to their deep grieving, no purpose, no good and gracious God in the midst of it all. We have hope and joy as we grieve.
So, this Mother’s Day may find you a celebrating mother. Hurray!
This Mother’s Day may find you a grieving mother. I grieve with you, friend.
He does not leave us in our suffering. He is familiar with the pain, and He walks with us through it. He rejoices with us when we celebrate. May Christ be your ever-present Companion in joy or in pain this Mother’s Day.
{photo credit: Carlo Lazzeri}
Renown and Crowned 