I have had the incredible privilege of walking through life with some amazing women. Women from all walks of life, and in every season of life.
I have rejoiced with women who were newly engaged, and felt the hurt with women when their promised ones walked away; cried tears of joy with women who were uniting their lives with the love of their life, and cried tears of despair with some of those same women who's loves have broken that bond.
I have waited anxiously for the first sound of a newborn's cry, and felt the pain and loss of children not meant for this life. Cheered during announcements of new conceptions, and wept with dear friends when their empty arms became a heavy burden.
I have shared in giving praise when friends would embark upon fostering young ones, and celebrated the blessings of adoption with many. I've been witness to grandmothers and aunts all become "moms" by choice, and watched in heart warming amazement as friends would take in children who weren't blood related to them at all. Not wanting one single thing in return. Only to show love to those who needed it most.
So, on this Mother's Day, I am reminded that you do not have to have physically given birth to be a mom. Oh, no...not at all! Sweet woman, when you have wiped the tear of child who has skinned their knee, brushed back the hair of a young adult who is suffering a broken heart, or quieted the frightened cry of one who has lost all that is familiar to them...you, dear one, are the most loving "mother" of all.
We read about how Jesus so beautifully modeled this truth to us in John chapter 19, "When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to her, "Woman, here is your son,"
and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home...".
As we take time to celebrate our own mothers, and allow our children to celebrate us, let's be quick to remember the importance of having our eyes wide open to seeing those who are consistently loving loud by giving their time, money and abilities to unconditionally pour into all of our lives. And let us not only see them with our eyes, but let us honor them with our words and our time. Use spoken word to encourage and renew them, and take time to honor them...thanking them for their love! May we live each day awestruck to every woman a mother, and every person a child.
