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“Mother’s Day”
This weekend is Mother’s Day, certainly one of the most important days of the year. Yes, it’s
true: If you’re a mom, you’re more special than dad. The odds are in your favor across the
board, in every category.
For example, on Mother’s Day, your children will go to church. They will come over for lunch or
dinner if you ask them. You will probably receive a greeting card from everyone around you.
You will probably receive something special as well, such as flowers, candy, or both.
Historically, Mother’s Day is the third-largest church attendance day of the year. Of course, the
first two highest-attended days are Christmas and Easter, but after that, Mother’s Day holds a
firm grip on the number three position. Why? Because moms typically want their babies in
church. Not showing up for Mother’s Day church risks a year's worth of problems, such as
getting nothing to eat when we make a surprise visit to mom, or nobody waking us at 7 am on
our birthday (and singing to us as we pull the covers over our heads).
Mother’s Day is a really big deal, but for many of us, Mother’s Day is going to come and go with
little celebration. In fact, it’s going to bring some tears. Why? Because lots of us no longer
have our mothers or grandmothers, or whoever it was that we called “mama”.
I recently spoke to a mom who was packing one of her adult children’s belongings. The child
was moving out, officially. I said, “You cried, didn’t you?” That was a stupid question. Of
course, mama cried! That’s what mamas do for their children! They’re always thinking about
their babies, no matter how old those babies are.
I think that’s why Mother’s Day is so hard for us who no longer have our mamas around. It’s
nice to know that someone is always thinking about us, and no matter how good our mamas
were (or weren’t), we still feel longing and remorse for them.
Churches recognize all of this and much more. At church, we recognize that God loves each of
us so much that God created someone whose job it was to give us birth, raise us, and pack our
bags when it’s time to leave. But God didn’t stop there. Even after we left, mama still thought
about us as her babies. When we screwed up, mom would forgive. When we messed up
again, mama would give us another chance.
So, this week, make plans to go to church on Mother’s Day. Even if you can’t celebrate with
mama or whomever it was that you have called mom, honor her by doing the best thing you can
to nurture yourself. That’s what mom would want, and your Heavenly Father will be pleased,
too.
Who knows? Maybe mom will blow you a kiss from her heavenly throne!
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens
her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Her children rise
up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: "Many women have done
excellently, but you surpass them all."(Proverbs 31:25-25; 28-29, NRSV)
See you at the Chapel!
Brock
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