Ode to Others

On this day that the world has set aside to honor Mothers

I would like to consider the Others

Those who want to be mothers but can’t

Those who are mothers but no longer have any evidence to prove it

Those who lost their mothers

Those Others

Who feel pain and sadness on this day when Mothers are being celebrated

Who wish they could sleep through this entire day and wake up when it’s over

Who feel they will scream if one more person says “Happy Mother’s Day”

Who can’t see what is so happy about Mother’s Day

To those Others I have a message

You are not alone

There are Others who share your hurt and your pain

But more than this

There is One who understands your sorrow

And is willing and able to wipe away all your tears

And feelings of unworthiness

He loves you with an everlasting love
And compassion beyond human comprehension

And even though you may not feel it

He is with you

In your darkest moments

In the midst of your storms

Through your loneliest nights

He sees the truth behind the fake smile

And He is ready to surround you with His love and comfort

If you would only let Him

You are worth more to Him than rubies

Your value is found in your identity in Him

You are chosen and dearly loved by Him

His plans are to give you hope and a future

He is able to turn your mourning into dancing

Your trial into a testimony

So fix your focus on Him

And as His love fills your life

Let it overflow into the lives of Others

That single mother who is struggling to make ends meet

That older mother whose children are no longer around

That child who is in dire need of a real Mother

That Other who is experiencing the same pain that you overcame

Isaiah 54:1 – “Sing, barren women, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of a desolate woman than of her who has a husband” says the Lord

Psalm 30:5b – “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”

Psalm 42:11 – “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”