Mother’s Day used to be my favorite holiday. That was before my mom died. As much as you want to, it is difficult to celebrate Mother’s Day when everyone is embracing their moms and your precious mom is no longer here. I am just being honest.

If the Good Lord allows us to live long enough, we must all face the loss of our moms. But that doesn’t make saying goodbye to them any easier. There’s just something about your mom. She is your first friend. The one who always wants to make sure you are okay. When she is no longer here, life feels a little less okay for the rest of your life.

I had the best mom, and I have learned that the magnitude and bottomlessness of the pain you feel is proportionate to the love you shared. And while I don’t ever expect to arrive at a place in life where I’m completely okay with the fact that she is gone, I know that I am so blessed to have loved and been loved by her. While it is painful that she is not with me, I am so thankful that she is well and healed and whole in Heaven now and cancer free, and I will get to see her again one day.

She would want me to be happy, and to rejoice on Mother’s Day in the fact that I am a mother myself—to celebrate my children. And I do. I love my children so much.

She would want me to be grateful that God gave me such a godly mother who taught me what was important in life—my faith, my family, my friends. And I am. I am thankful that who I am in part is because she was my mom.

On this Mother’s Day, my first thought was for what I don’t have, Mama. But then I thanked God for all that I do have—the legacy she passed on to me and my brother; my children who are precious to me including my new daughter this year; an awesome husband who bought me the most beautiful roses because I am the mother to his two sons; my sweet mother-in-law who has always treated me like the daughter she never had.

I celebrated my mom this Mother’s Day by celebrating what she loved most, God’s creation. She loved flowers and birds. I am learning to experience the peace she always did with both. I feel closest to her when I am enjoying nature. We all deal with grief in our own ways and in our own time. I deal by doing what Mom enjoyed spending her time doing.

I know that others struggle too on Mother’s Day—others who have lost their moms, moms who have lost children, ladies who have not been able to have children, single moms who are overwhelmed with all the responsibilities of parenting, moms who feel like failures because of their wayward children, those without good mother/child relationships, stepmothers trying to find their place, etc.

Sometimes a good cry is the best way to deal. There is nothing wrong with that either. But remember we all have something to be thankful for on Mother’s Day, even just to be thankful that our moms gave us life.

God comforts us all.  “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

I do not know how people make it through the heartaches of life without the help of our Lord. He is there to help us with whatever we face. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Dear Lord: Thank You for giving us moms and making us moms. Your design of the family is perfect. Please help us to be the best mothers to our children, most importantly teaching them about You. Please bless our moms, and comfort those of us who are missing our mothers and dealing with other hardships. Help us to call on You, knowing You always hear us. Help us to lean on You instead of leaning on our own understanding. Give us the strength we need, and remind us always that You are aware of what touches us. Thank You for Your great love and for being the ultimate parent and comforting us through it all no matter what. Amen

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb a reward. Psalms 127:3

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22–23

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. Please share your comments, experiences and thoughts about your mom or about this post. May God bless you and your family with fresh grace for your journey.