Confessions of a follower of Jesus
who is over 40 years old, single and female
on the day after Mother’s Day.
I remember one year at camp when I was probably a young teenager, the question was asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Everyone who responded gave the conventional responses – doctor, lawyer, teacher, policeman, etc. I honestly had no clue what career path I was interested in, so when it was my turn to speak I said, “I want to be a mother”.
At that time I remember being drawn to working with children. I found them to be so much fun to be around and so loving, full of energy and eager to learn. As my older friends started getting married and having babies, I claimed them as my nieces and nephews (some as my children) long before my siblings made me an official Aunty.
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| Some of my earlier 'children' |
As I continued serving in ministry to children and youths, it was clear that this was an area in which God had uniquely gifted and equipped me. It was also something I had seen in my mother, and later on I discovered that her mother also had an incredible love for children.
I was sharing with some friends yesterday that Mothers Day can be both lovely and painful. It is lovely for those who still have their mothers in their lives, and have good relationships with their mothers, or who are themselves mothers. But it is triggering for those who have lost their mothers, or who have lost their children, or don’t have good relationships with them, or who want to have children but are unable to.
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| So grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Mummy this year |
On Mothers Day, I can choose to grieve over the children I do not have, but instead I choose to celebrate those I do have. I am beyond blessed to still have my biological mother still with me, and that I was able to execute my aunt's wishes to bless her and my sister with a sumptous lunch and beautiful flowers, but I also chose to gather with others who didn’t have that privilege, and celebrate someone who has been a mother to us all. I felt led to share God’s love by buying cupcakes from a single mother, and giving them to a mother I have noticed selling water at a traffic light with her son under the shade of an umbrella. And my heart was made full with all the messages of love from those who acknowledged my role in mothering the children God has given me the honor of ministering to.
There is more than one way to have a happy mothers day.
Psalm 113:9 - He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.
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| My "Best Aunty Ever" Mother's Day mug |
