Why celebrating Moms on Mother's Day is the right thing to do.

99% of the time I have no idea what I am doing as a mom.

Like really, I’m not exaggerating.

Being a mom is hard. Probably one of the hardest things I will ever do.
As each Mother’s Day passes I have noticed one thing - the idea of celebrating moms is becoming less and less popular, specifically within the church. 

Every year around this time I see 100s of posts on social media about how we shouldn’t single out moms from other women who cannot, did not or will not have children. I get it.

We should always remember those among us who are and have gone through tough times. We should always remember those around us who are struggling with a variety of issues. We should always remember those around us who are grieving a life or an idea that may never come true. We should always care and respect those who have made different decisions than us  - whether they are forced upon them or willingly chose. I really really do get it. I promise!

God’s word tells us over and over again to love for, care for and be with our neighbour at all times through all circumstances. We are to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)

God’s word also tells us that we are to be unified (Ephesians 4). We are to build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Encouraging one another (Ephesians 10:25). Live in Harmony (Romans 15:5)

AND (most importantly) we are told that when we choose Jesus, we all belong to the body of Christ no matter who we are, what we have or what we may be able or not be able to do (go read all of 1 Corinthians 12 to find out just how cool this is).

Having a certain something from God does not make you more important than another. Having a specific type of ability than another does not make you less important. Being giving the gift of being a mother does NOT make me any more valuable than those women who do not have the same gifts. Do you get it?

You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything.  (1 Corinthians 12:27 message version)

We all have to accept certain things about our lives. We all have to accept that God has a different plan for every single one of us the relies on His timing. We all have to accept that each Christian's life will look slightly different than the next but we all have to accept that we are one body in Christ.

I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It’s all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. (1 Corinthians 12:14)

So what does all this mean? It means we should be able to celebrate moms without fear of hurting other’s feelings because we are all one body who rejoice, celebrate, mourn and lament together. We are one body where we all have a specific and equally important function. We are one body who should be able to celebrate each other without fear of offending each other because we know that we are just as important and valuable as the other. (p.s. this totally seems to be a woman problem because we never see this discussion pop up on father’s day)

Please hear me. I am not trying to be rude or insensitive but I also know that if we stop celebrating certain things in fear of making others feel bad then we will never celebrate anything! 

Motherhood is hard. We need support and love and encouragement because 99% of the time we have NO idea what we are doing. Being a human being is hard because 99% of the time we have no idea what we are doing. Being a man or a woman is hard because 99% of the time we have no idea what we are doing. Being a Christian is hard because 99% of the time we have no idea what we are doing.

But the Bible gives us some pretty specific instructions on how to come together, support one another, love one another, celebrate or mourn with one another. And maybe, just maybe, if we started lifting each other up despite our circumstances that body will all belong to will become just a little more enjoyable and a little more functional. 

So whether you are a mom who gets to celebrate tomorrow or a mom who celebrates tomorrow but feels the pain of loss or women who gets to support and encourage other women and moms or a man who is still trying to figure out how to make a COVID Mother’s Day somewhat special  - know this ;

YOU ARE VALUABLE, you are special, you are fearfully and wonderfully made, you have a purpose, you have a place, you are a part of the body of Christ, you are not “less than” anyone. God created us all equal but all our lives look a little bit different in Him.

I really encourage you to celebrate and encourage a mom this weekend. Give that part of the body a moment to be encouraged and then watch as that same thing will begin to come back to you.

Want to send an encouraging note to a mom?

Click here to download some free postcards to send!