Making the Most of Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day rarely lives up to our expectations, but this year, make an effort to honor all those who have “mothered” you and your family

I don’t know exactly what I was wearing, but I know it was whatever dress I’d worn to church that morning. As soon as the service was over, my family—Dad, Mom, my brother and me—had sprinted out to the car to drive to a nearby town where we were meeting my uncle, aunt and grandmother for a Mother’s Day lunch. 

But the restaurant we’d planned to visit was crowded and boasted an hours-long wait. 

And so did the next one, and the next one, and the next one. When the endless tour of restaurants finally stopped, we were at a pizza buffet, tensions were high, and it was probably 2 p.m. Happy Mother’s Day, Grandma! 

The lesson here is that Mother’s Day can be a lot of things, but the truth is it rarely lives up to that picture-perfect expectation the commercials and movies promise. So, whether it’s your first Mother’s Day or your 50th, may this weekend be an opportunity to set aside expectations and celebrate, honor and encourage the real women who have shaped, encouraged and walked alongside you through the ups and downs of real life. 

Here are a few women you might want to acknowledge on Mother’s Day: 

The Prayer Warrior

Maybe it’s your mother, a sister or your best friend or simply that older woman in your church who makes a point to consistently and specifically pray for you and your family. It’s a blessing to have someone who cares so much about you that they routinely lift up your needs and desires to the Lord. 

The “Other” Mother

Is there a woman in your child’s life who has stepped in as an honorary grandparent? Someone who your child trusts and emulates, such as a teacher, life group or Bible study leader, or even a friend of the family? If you have someone in your life who “mothers” you or your children in some (healthy) way, take a moment to say thank you this weekend. 

The Mentor

Whether it’s a formal relationship or a woman who has come alongside you to walk with you through a season of life, Mother’s Day can be an important time to honor women who serve as mentors. Make an effort to thank them for their godly influence in your life this weekend and be specific about ways they’ve helped you grow in faith and maturity. 

The One Who Practices the Ministry of Presence

Is there a women in your life who strives to be present at important moments and seasons in your life? Someone who shows up at your kid’s baseball game or that recognition at work? If there’s someone in your life who is taking the time to “show up” whenever you need them most, make an effort to acknowledge them. 

The One Without a Mother

Mother’s Day isn’t always the happiest occasion for everyone. Some women are grieving the loss of a good, godly mother who made a marked impact on their lives. For others, Mother’s Day is difficult because their relationship with their own mother is strained or non-existent. For those who grew up in abusive situations, holidays like Mother’s and Father’s Day can be incredibly painful. So, if you know someone who may struggle on Mother’s Day, find a way to walk beside them, to acknowledge their feelings and help them to know that they are truly seen. 

The One Who Longs to Be a Mother

Often (and especially in the South) women who aren’t mothers can walk away from that day’s church service believing they are somehow less or unfulfilled because they aren’t a mother. Hear this: God’s primary calling on your life is to follow him and make him known. Period. Not be a mother, not be a wife, not be successful by the world’s standards. If he has placed you into those roles, then your calling is to follow him and make him known in those relationships—but you’re not any less important than other believers because you’re not a mom or a wife. There may be a few women in your circle who truly believe that they are somehow less important or valuable because they aren’t moms or wives, and Mother’s Day can be a stark reminder of that. So be aware of women who are struggling with infertility, walking through a pregnancy loss or long to be mothers but aren’t. If there is a small way you can show these women that they matter to you, this weekend might be a particularly meaningful time to do so. 

This weekend, take a moment to celebrate and thank God for all the women in your life who have “mothered” you—from mothers, grandmothers, aunts and stepmothers to mentors, church mothers, friends and teachers. Thank you for all you do to make others feel seen, loved and cared for!