Research has revealed that mothers are often the strongest influence when it comes to inspiring us to read and treasure God's word. The Bible teaches us to honor our mothers and, in turn, empowers mothers with spiritual guidance as they lead and serve their families. 
As James tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from our Father above.” And so when we give thanks for moms, we express thanks first and foremost to God himself. Motherhood was his idea. It’s a blessing from God.
​
And this is something many of us know from our own experience. Many of us have personally experienced the blessings of motherhood – whether that’s through your own mom, or maybe you’ve had the privilege of being a mom yourself–or grandmothers and great-grandmothers.
​
Moms are an expression of God’s grace towards humanity – for the rearing of children, for the good of the family, and for the betterment of society. At the same time, we’d amiss if we failed to acknowledge the fact that for many Mother’s Day is a difficult day.
 
Some today are reminded of mothers that have since passed away. The grief is still real. Some may struggle with bitterness, anger, or guilt. Maybe their relationship with their mom was less than what God intended it to be. Others still are haunted by the pain of infertility, miscarriage, or past abortion; or we think of those here who are single and would desire to be married and become mothers. For many in our midst, Mother’s Day may feel like little more than a cruel reminder of loss and heartache. And far too often they suffer in silence. Because these situations are often private, their pain is often overlooked and forgotten.

The list goes on: Sometimes motherhood begins with unplanned or unexpected pregnancies – at times with fear, shame, or uncertainty. We can think of single mothers who may be raising children on their own. Grandmothers who, for a variety of reasons, may be raising their children’s children. Mothers of children with disabilities, and any unique challenges or demands those circumstance may bring.
​
There are undoubtedly a variety of stories represented. And all of our experiences are unique, with differing mixes of joy and difficulty.
And so we experience Mother’s Day with a certain level of ambivalence. As Paul says, we are a body. We consider ourselves, not as separate, isolated individuals, but as those connected to one another. When one part of the body hurts, we all hurt with them.

And so Mother’s Day is a day in which we practice Paul’s exhortation to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” We celebrate the joys and blessing of motherhood. We thank God for our mothers, and show appreciation to our moms as we reflect on the wisdom, grace, and love of the women who raised us. Yet at the same time, we show sympathy, care, and sensitivity to those for whom today is difficult.