I’ve thought about this post all week. I’ve started it. Erased it. Started over again…
I have openly shared about our journey through infertility. And now about our journey towards adoption. I shared about how lately, it has been difficult. I’ve wanted to give up. I’ve had a heavy heart.
But, even more recently, I’ve been trying to refocus my gaze back onto Christ and see God’s gifts around me everywhere. I’m trying, yearning, to be content. Right here. Right now.
Then in irony, Mother’s Day is coming. Fast approaching.
Mother’s Day; a great day to honor the mothers in your life, and be honored, if you are a mother.
I want to be a mom. I have a passion for motherhood. I yearn for this role in my life. To impart life into children. To give them hope for a future. To shape them and teach them about the love of God.
But yet…God has not yet blessed me with this role.
Some of you are going through a similar time surrounding this holiday. Maybe this will be the first year without your mother. Or maybe you have a difficult relationship with your mother. Or maybe you have lost a child.
So, how do you celebrate Mother’s Day? Even when it is hard?
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Trust in God’s plan for your life, even when it is not what you thought it would be.
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Honor the Mothers in your life. This could be your own mother, mother-in-law, aunts, grandmothers, or friends!
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Pray for God to give you strength.
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Feel free to grieve.
Sometimes it is so hard when we make plans, that we think are good. Then, the plans don’t happen and we are left feeling lost. God has plans for our life (Jeremiah 29:11) and they are good! They are beyond what we can imagine! But, sometimes it takes loss to get to the good stuff. Just keep trusting!
There are women all around that give reason to celebrate! This may be hard…but try to place your thoughts on them today. Let them know that you see all that they do and that they are honorable!
We cannot move through this life, these struggles, without the power of God working in us. Don’t rely on your own strength today. Cast your cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and pray for His strength to sustain you.
We cannot be expected to show no grief or sadness over the loss we may be feeling. So, don’t hold back if you feel like you need to grieve. Just grieve in a healthy way. Talk to someone. Read through God’s Word. Pour out your heart to the One who cares for you!
I’ve read some really good posts that I’d love to recommend:
Mother’s Day for the Motherless Daughter
For the Mothers … All of Them
Eve’s Daughters
Also, here is a song that I love to listen to:
I don’t know why this Mothers Day is being so hard for me this year. But with my mother gone and not having her to talk with as I have gone through breast cancer once again. She was there the first time and we shared each others strenght. Now having double mastectomies and chemo I have her strenght she gave that to me a long time ago. But not to hear her words or see her smile. It’s just been very hard this year. I have three son’s and 5 beautiful grandchildren. None of which live enough to keep me busy so I’m not so sorrowful through this time. But yes, it’s been hard. For those of you who still have your mother’s listen to these words , hold her and listen to her even if you don’t have the time. MAKE the TIME.! There will come a day when she will be gone.
[...] How to Celebrate Mother’s Day {Even When It Is Hard} Putting God First Place [...]
I found your blog via At the Well and now I know Who led me here. I’ve been struggling with the issue of longing for children and not having them, and it was so encouraging to read what you had to say on that. Thank you.
Amy,
I’m so glad that you stopped by!
My husband and I are unable to have biological children. It has been a great struggle for me. However, in God’s perfect timing, He started to close our hearts to the idea of having biological children and open wide our hearts to adopting children. I know this isn’t the case for every family that struggles with infertility, however, it has been a great comfort in my life.
I still struggle at times with my infertility. It is one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, trial I have been through. I have been working on writing an ebook about my infertility journey, mainly how God brought me through it. It has been such a great process to write about it!
God is teaching me so much through this lengthy process of becoming a mother! I pray that He will use this trail, though difficult and testing, to strengthen your faith in Him!
Recently, I read the book The Greener Grass Conspiracy and it has been a great tool that God is using to remind me of His wonderful plan for my life. My aim is not to live for children, but to live for Christ in whatever situation I am in. Whew! It has been a hard journey, for sure! But finally, I am starting to see God in it more, and see that He never left me and still has great plans for my life, which for some reason includes infertility.
We have also struggled with infertility, and it has been very hard for me. I doubt that I will go into much detail on my own site beyond the simple fact that it’s there because after talking to my husband, I think it would make him uncomfortable to have all the details out there. After growing up in churches with families of children (sometimes many children), not being able to have our own biological children has been difficult. I think I’m still at the stage of feeling my way and trying to discern where God wants me to be and what place He has for me.
I think a book like the one you describe above would be a wonderful ministry. I have found this struggle in some ways to be a very isolating experience, and any encouragement is certainly welcome. I hope that your adoption journey goes well – blessings!
[...] I’ve been going through this difficult season, I’ve been wondering this question. What does God want from me, here in the hard times? To [...]
Ashley:
I taught school for many years with no children of my own. God intervened for me at age 38 and I now have two that God promised me.
They are His gifts to me and my husband. They are now 20 and 18 both so on track with Gods purpose for them. His timing is perfect though it is hard to wait. I pray for others who are struggling to conceive. I would be happy to pray with you if you call. 478 451-9648.
Pastor Anne