Rejoicing and Mourning in Motherhood
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Romans 12:15–16
This past Sunday was Mother’s Day. At staff meeting this morning we wondered aloud how differently the Church would integrate special days such as mother’s day and father’s day if they did not occur on a Sunday.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day present challenges to pastoring a community that is diverse in their parental experience, from their family of origin to their present reality, hopes and dreams. At Creekside we seek to be real, not phony. By that we mean that we want to smash through the veneer that we all (or even some of us) have it “all together.” We don’t. We are a group of ordinary people (each with gifts and deficits) seeking to live in the extraordinary way of Jesus, transformed and transforming the world around us, because Jesus is renewing our minds and hearts. A big part of being transformed is transparency and entering into life together even before we believe have anything to contribute.
This past week I came across an article which aligned well with how we as a church view the women, including the mothers in our church (and outside our church). I had it put in the program, but wanted to offer it to you hear as well.
To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you.
To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you.
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you.
To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you.
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.
To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you.
To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you.
To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you.
To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you.
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience.
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst.
To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children – we mourn that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be.
To those who step-parent – we walk with you on these complex paths.
To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren -yet that dream is not to be, we grieve with you.
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you.
To those who placed children up for adoption — we commend you for your selflessness and remember how you hold that child in your heart.
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you.
Peace, hope and love
Doug
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