Wrangler Dani

Perhaps in preparation for Mother’s Day, I’ve been seeing a lot of videos and articles about how hard motherhood is, particularly when you have young kids. Mostly, these are shared by moms, for moms, giving each other a virtual heave-ho to get through the meltdown in Target or the second cold cup of coffee.

I get it. I have a young child and I’ve been known to cry about my loss of autonomy from time to time.

BUT. But.

I also remember how it felt to avoid Mother’s Day at all costs. I remember how it felt to heave big, heavy sighs after seeing adorable munchkins in their Sunday best, accompanying cute moms and dads to brunch. I remember crying uncontrollably because the wave of longing snuck up behind me and whacked me on the head before I knew it was there – suddenly I was sitting in my living room, in the car, on a park bench, with big ugly tears rolling down my face and absolutely no control over my heartbreak, on display for all to see.

The fact that the feeling of loneliness and longing is so close behind me makes Mother’s Day even more poignant for me this year. I can’t wait to sally into church as a bonafide mom and praise God for his faithfulness – but I am also incredibly sensitive to those who have not yet had their prayer answered. There is nothing quite like the ache of unanswered hopes.

Dear friends, I know how it feels to long for answers, for fullness, for new life. Please don’t give up.

Don’t give up – we need you. My daughter needs your example as a single woman who is confident and loving and secure. She needs you, as a childless couple who will love her like the lovely aunties and uncles you are, who will still love her even when kids of your own arrive. She needs you, as an example of a good friend who is present and loving even when life challenges your plans.

We went to a Seder dinner last weekend and ate the maror and charoset, to remember that life is not always sweet and not always bitter, but a mixture of both; that the goodness of God permeates even the pain of the present. You might be eating bitter herbs, but joy is also here. Redemption is powerful and present, even when the calendar mocks our hope or reminds us of our longing. No matter where you are this weekend, Happy Mother’s Day – you are loved and joyful redemption is here.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -Jesus