Mothers Day

I hate Mothers Day. 

I will tell you why. First of all, I love my mom.  I know so many wonderful mothers.  I think they do a great job with what God has given them.  But let’s not skip over that last part: God has given mothers their job.  I’m a stickler for the big picture, what matters most, what it really boils down to, and most importantly what God says in His Word. 

No, God doesn’t ever mention Mothers Day in the bible. Lol.

But what He does mention is Himself.  And that is pretty much the bulk of the bible.  About God.  What He has done, is doing, will do.  How amazing He is.  How He calls people.  How He s sovereign.  It’s about Him, through and through.  The holidays/festival He set up were about Him or pointed to Him in some fashion.  He never fails to remind us over and over how He is in control and He is good and He is the one who deserves glory.  And how NOTHING ELSE deserves the attention that He deserves.

And that’s it.  I hate Mothers Day because people stop at mom.  For years this has made me uncomfortable, and I couldn’t identify why exactly.  The day was almost always disappointing even if I had low expectations.  I was thrown into this position of trying to convince myself that I deserved some sort of recognition or special treatment.  People all around patting me on the back, giving accolades for a job well done – Really??

A job well done?

I don’t know about everyone else, but I know that on a regular basis I screw up this job pretty well.  I happen to know that I actually DON’T deserve a pat on the back.  I love my kids, I do my best, and I honestly seek good for them.  But the fact that I’ve kept this job is beyond me.  Why would God look down and determine that I deserve this responsibility?  I mean, it’s HUGE.  God knows I lack in so many ways.  It is by His unfathomable mercies that I am even allowed to raise, nurture, and love my boys. I should have been fired years ago!

So I must redirect this day towards Him.  I really  must.  As much as we can say that we planned these kids, we know we actually had no control over the conception of these lives.  That was God in His goodness allowing me to sign up for a job that I had no skill to do well.  But He saw.  He knew that by allowing me to be a mother, by giving me my kids to raise, I would become a better kid to Him.  I would understand His love a little better.  I would marvel at His patience knowing how quickly my own would be exhausted.  I would seek Him when I finally realized how little control I have over these young lives. 

Today is a day I can turn to God and fall at His feet and wonder at His goodness and His mercy.   

Today is NOT about me.  

It’s not about moms.  

It’s about Him. 

Let’s not ever forget that.