“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15
Reflect
Mother’s Day is hard for many women. Because of this, loads of childless women (whether through infertility or miscarriage) skip church on that day to ensure their hearts are protected. Though this saddens me, I can understand why.
Many churches have made this holiday unnecessarily painful in their approach. Most times, there isn’t a single prayer or statement acknowledging how very difficult the day is for some. Instead, moms receive flowers, are asked to stand, are applauded and many times childless women are forced to sit through a sermon about motherhood.
I believe we should honor the visible moms in our lives but not at the expense of sisters whose hearts are broken on this day. There are ways to honor moms while simultaneously taking up the burden of the childless.
All that said, and having addressed the hardness of Mother’s Day, we childless women mustn’t forsake meeting together to protect ourselves. (Hebrews 10:25) It is so hard. I lament with you. But friends, we’re called to a life of self-sacrifice, not self-protection. We’re called to be like Christ and follow in his footsteps. He has commanded us to rejoice with others even as we bear grief on our chest. Likewise, he’s called us to follow him in setting aside our pain and entering into the pain of others. These things we can only do through abiding in Christ.
So to my fellow grieving sisters, join me in abiding in Him to find the strength to go to church this Sunday, and to rejoice with our sisters while also having eyes for the hurting among us, that we may comfort them as Jesus comforts us. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
He will be with us.
Pray
Father, this Sunday will be so painful. I pray that those who have plenty would weep with those who are still waiting. I pray that you’d give those of us who are walking this hard road of infertility or miscarriage grace to endure and strength to obey. May your Body carry each other’s burdens and joys. In Jesus precious name, Amen.
Your Turn
Who is someone in your church that may be hurting this Mother’s Day? Write them a note or buy them a small gift to acknowledge their pain.
