Mother’s Day – Devotional for Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother’s Day – Today moms will be honored. Tons of cards and boatloads of flowers will be gifted to moms. Mothers will be treated to a day off from meal cooking. Well, you get the picture. Most of us are thankful for our moms and believe they deserve a special day. 

But less be completely honest. None of us had perfect moms and many believe they can trace most of their problems back to mom. Maybe it’s time for a little balance and honesty on this mom issue. 

First, isn’t it harder than ever to be a good mom. In 2011, more women than ever have to balance motherhood with full time jobs. More women than ever have to be both mom and dad to children. Many women have to balance a broken relationship with their children’s father with the need for those children to have a father in their lives. We need to do more than give token gratitude to mothers one day a year.The “Father Knows Best” model for motherhood doesn’t apply to most moms today.  These are tough times for mothers. They need our patience, prayers and help, in addition to our honor and gratitude.

Maybe many of us, in addition, need to let go of our mommy issues. Those of us whom the Lord has allowed to make it into adulthood, need to be adults. It’s time to forgive moms, and dads, who may have been less than perfect. Maybe it’s time to accept some responsibility for our lives, put aside our past, trust our Lord for our futures, and make the best of our todays.

I am grateful for the moms in my life: my own mother who unbelievably raised nine with almost no money and the mother of my kids who always loves and still worries about her offspring to the second and third generation.  I am grateful for those following generations of moms in my life, all of whom are doing the best job they can without a helpmate. I know they all can only do what they do with the help of an involved and loving God. For that reason I try to help and never forget to pray.  I appreciate them all.

Thank you Lord for all of them.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mary Lou, Rosemary, Allison, Martha and Jessica.

Nick