By David Hegg
This weekend, we all turn our thoughts and gifts to the mothers in our lives, both those who birthed us and those whose willingness to be mothers made us fathers.
Mother’s Day stands as one of those rare occasions that invites us to pause, reflect and honor the profound influence of mothers in our lives. It’s a day that, if we make good use of it, gives us a reason to remember and celebrate the enduring strength, sacrifice and love that mothers embody.
I grew up in a home where some of the best things about mothering somehow went missing. But now that I’m wonderfully married to the best person, and best mother I’ve ever met, I have a much better picture, and much deeper appreciation of what “mother power” looks like.
At its core, Mother’s Day reminds us of the physical and emotional cost of being a mother. As I watched my sweet wife birth three little bundles of squirming life, I had to admit I could never have handled that whole ordeal. Even now, remembering those moments, I shudder, and a tear forms in my eye.
The origins of Mother’s Day are rooted in a desire to honor maternal bonds and the sacrifices mothers make. It was Anna Jarvis who, in 1908, organized the first Mother’s Day celebration in Grafton, West Virginia. And it was fitting that it took place in a church, given God chose to bring the Savior into this world through a young but godly mother named Mary.
Mrs. Jarvis’ purpose was simple yet profound: to acknowledge the selfless love and tireless efforts of mothers everywhere. Over time, this vision blossomed into a global observance, reflecting a universal appreciation for motherhood’s unique role in human life.
But I also know from personal experience that Mother’s Day can be the saddest of days. For some, Mother’s Day is yet another reminder of broken dreams. Some who long to hold their babies still languish in singleness, while others live with the daily reality of infertility. For others, this special day is only a reminder of pregnancies and young lives ended prematurely. Worst of all, there are those women who suffer in silence with the invisible scars left by their decision to abort their babies.
It is also important to remember that mothers today come in many forms — biological, adoptive, foster, stepmothers and those who nurture children in non-traditional ways. Recognizing and celebrating the power of mothering in all the places where it is truly being demonstrated is also both necessary and essential as we think reflect on Mother’s Day.
Each of these women contributes to the fabric of family and society in invaluable ways. Recognizing this diversity enriches our understanding of what it means to be a mother and broadens the scope of gratitude we express on this day.
On a personal note, Mother’s Day offers a moment to express heartfelt thanks to the women who have shaped my life. My mother did her best, but where she was lacking, my paternal grandmother filled in some of the gaps. The lessons learned, the sacrifices witnessed, and the love received from these women formed much of the foundation upon which I stand. And, as I left my childhood home for college, career, and my own marriage, it became clear to me that motherhood is not merely a biological process. It is also a powerful, life-shaping force that can form a child’s identity, character and usefulness in this world.
So, on Mother’s Day, look first at those closest to you, and honor their love, their care and the place they have in your life. And offer a prayer of thanks to God who first created and designed motherhood for all the ways mothering continues in our world. And, as you look around at our world and consider its ups and downs, rest in the knowledge that somewhere, some mother is doing well what God has privileged her to do.
To all of you who mother, have a blessed Mother’s Day!
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
