Mother’s Day

In our kitchen hutch we have the plate I made (decorated) for my mom in 3rd grade, for Mother’s Day. I was looking at it today remembering drawing my careful design and coloring it especially for her. My class as a whole was disappointed when there was a problem with the order, and we received the plates weeks after Mother’s Day. Of course, my Mama didn’t care that it was late. From the date we received it, until now, it’s always been in our kitchen.

As I was in elementary school and even middle school, the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, was answered with the following response: A missionary, a writer, and a detective. As I grew older, the internal answers changed. I wanted to be a wife and a mama. I could never verbalize it out loud. There are so many things we can control, but meeting someone and loving them and marrying them… out of my hands.

I was married, much later than what most people find to be the “prime” marrying age. But God, in his wonderful ways blessed me, albeit much later than I would have chosen. And then I was blessed with babies. Mother’s Day became a different day. What was a day of sadness, became a day of hope realized.

But for many, it’s still a hard day. Many have lost their mamas. Others simply don’t have a good relationship with them. Some have a broken relationship with their children. And then for many it’s because their own desires to be a mama haven’t been realized.

I love my life. I love my husband, my boys, my family. All of it. I live in a wonderful home (sometimes called “Stephanie’s House of Happiness” and other times, it’s just flat-out crazy train). That being said, I am very cognoscente that many find Mother’s Day heavy.

For all of you, whether you are in one of the scenarios listed above, or a mama driving her own crazy train (and loving it, or maybe you feel like you are being dragged by the train!), I’m writing you a message.

I don’t know why God has planned for you. I don’t know if all the desires of your heart have been met yet. But I do know that if you keep holding on to Jesus, He will meet you. He will comfort your broken heart. He has a plan and a purpose, just for you! He sees you.

For those with a broken heart, He sees you.
For those with broken relationships, He sees you.
For those who are weary and hopeless and out of patience, He sees you.

I determined a while ago that Mother’s Day isn’t only for those who have had children of their own. It’s for all women. It’s a day to celebrate the village of women in your lives. Whether it be aunts and grandmas, or the best friends you have. It’s to celebrate those who pour into your babies’ lives. And, if you are one of those women without your own babes, you are to be celebrated. I have a village of wonderful women, both married and not. Because of them, my boys know additional love.

So to all of you amazing women out there, you help the world go around. You run households. You are friends. You are sisters. You are aunts. You are extraordinary.

And to the three moms I have been given, (my Mama, My Mema Betty, and My Nana Anne), Happy Mother’s Day. I couldn’t ask for better, and my boys are blessed to have you in their lives. Love you always.

And love to all of you,
Stephanie