Women struggling with infertility, miscarriage or loss of a child would rather she just keep her mouth shut. I can't blame them. Not one bit.
But I need to be honest, real with you.
For me, Mother's Day has been the most difficult day of the year. For more years than I care to count, I have preferred to stay home from church on Mother's Day. It was just too painful to hear "Happy Mother's Day!", words that plunged a knife into the very depths of my being.
There are times in our lives when grief thrusts to the surface, nearly strangling us with its force. In my case, the grief was accompanied by deep, suffocating shame. That's been Mother's Day for me.
But the story is not over.
I have been on a faith journey for years. Is Jesus a gentleman? Oh yes! His patience is astounding. His love has beckoned me to give Him more, to allow Him to gently peel back layer upon layer of my pain, my shame, my self-hatred. Trusting Jesus has been life-saving and life-altering.
I've gone through seasons of emotional healing. This past year has been the most significant of those seasons. Jesus has liberally applied His blood to my heart, my mind and my spirit.
I've been transformed by a merciful, gracious and loving God.
"To grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified." Isaiah 61:3 ESV
And I will stand, an oak of righteousness firmly planted in love.
