Mother’s Day (#222 of 365+)

The other day I met an older woman with a glowing countenance who was pushing a baby in a stroller. It was hard to tell her age since the usual creases were absent from her face and she had
very few wrinkles. I think she might have been around sixty but she appeared to be much younger. She had a natural kind of beauty, and still wore her long silver hair down as she probably has since she was a young lady.

After talking with her for awhile I learned the two-month-old baby girl wasn’t related to her. She was just the foster parent and had been taking care of the girl since she was only three hours old. Once the legal adoption is finalized the woman will hand the baby over to the adoptive parents as she has done countless times with other children over the past three decades.

“Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband” (Isaiah 54:1)

This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day. As Joni said, every woman should be celebrated on that day. One doesn’t have to give birth or raise a child to be a “spiritual” mother. The woman I met had gladly and lovingly bonded with young children for years even though she knew she’d have to give them up sooner or later. The adoptive parents haven’t taken custody yet but they’ve already made a conscious commitment to parent the child for the rest of their lives. The baby’s birth mother probably did the most loving thing of all—by choosing adoption over abortion she gave the child a future filled with hope. It is highly unlikely that anyone will acknowledge her sacrifice this Mother’s Day, but in the deepest part of herself she will always know that she is a mother.

Love in its purest form is often bittersweet…

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken” (Isaiah 54:10)

Whether or not you’re a mother or a father, realize that God has given you the ability to help children of all ages in your community. Few things in life bring as much joy to the heart as seeing the smile on a child’s face. Love a child today in the name of the Lord.

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46)

Lord, may my heart be sensitive to your Spirit today. Show me how I can help children know your love. Amen.