[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n most countries of the world Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May every year. Many people credit Anna M. Jarvis(1864-1948) with originating the Mother’s Day holiday in the United States. Ms. Jarvis was never married and was extremely attached to her mother, Anna Reese Jarvis, who was a Sunday school teacher for Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia.The first celebration of Mother’s Day was on May 10, 1908. Ceremonies occurred at churches in Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia,Pennsylvania as per Anna’s request. Anna M. provided carnations (her mother’s favorite flower) at those services. She chose white carnations to represent the sweetness, purity, and endurance of a amother’s love. Later on wearing a white carnation is to honour a deceased mother, wearing a red carnation is to honour a living mother.
Since 1908 however Mother’s Day has had a rocky existence. Mother’s day became truly popular. It was so popular that some decided to cash in on its popularity. By 1923 Anna Jarvis found herself suing to stop aMother’s Day festival. Later she was arrested for disturbing the peace at a Mother’s Day convention. She was angry that the white carnations, which she had designated as the official Mother’s Day flower, were being sold. She said, “I wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit.”
People are so loyal to their mothers, because a mother’s love is so great.Consider what mothers go through. First there is childbirth. That is no picnic. Now that men are in the delivery room more and more we are beginning to respect what women go through. After the child is born most of the work of child rearing falls on the mothers.
A mother’s love is so exceptional that it is in a category by itself.It is a degree of love that is only fully expressed by the love of a mother. It is the kind of love that persists no matter what wrong is done to it.
Jesus told us to call God “Father,” but God’s love is much like amother’s love. The Bible is full of examples of God’s motherly love. God is constantly feeding and nurturing his children. God is the one who gave us life, who breathed us into existence, just as our mothers birthed us into this world. And God is constantly giving for our benefit. And God hurts when we walk away and reject his love.
The image of God as Shepherd is a good example of God’s motherly love. God cares for us as a good shepherd. God provides for our every need. God takes us to green pastures and leads us beside still waters. And God protects us from wild animals that would devour us.When others would flee, God remains steadfast.
Of course God’s love is greater than any love a human can produce. A mother’s love is only an analogy that helps us understand God’s love. It helps us understand how loving and giving God’s love is.
When Jesus was told that his mother and brothers were looking for him, He said, “Who are my brothers and my mother? Those who do the will of my father are my brothers and sisters and mother.” We are all children of our Heavenly Father. In this family the older and experienced members have the responsibility of raising and caring for the younger and inexperienced members. In that sense we are all parents to those who are growing in the faith around us. Not just those who are growing physically, but to those who are growing spiritually. In Christ we are all foster fathers and mothers for God’s children.
As parents we have a responsibility to teach our children the words that God has given us. We are called to teach our children that God is their maker, that Jesus died for their sins, and that the Holy Spirit wants to live in our lives.
Motherhood is a joyful thing. Many mothers will testify the joy at the birth or adoption of their children. Many women, some of whom have never had any children of their own, have experienced the joy of mothering children placed in their care.
The reality of Motherhood is that along with all the joys and blessings of caring for a child there are also fears. Fears of what the future holds. We live in a society that seems to be getting worse by the hour. We fight against crime and injustice and drugs yet those things seem to be on the rise.
All women who have mothered a child feared for that child’s future. The Bible has several very important things to say. Jesus knows your suffering. He’s been there. Jesus said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem.How often I have desired to gather your children as a hen gathers her brood” (Matthew 23:37). Out of love Jesus wished to “mother” his father’s children but they would not let him.
Your worries and fears are sanctified by love. Your suffering is one born of love for your children. God honours the love of mothers just as he honoured the love Jesus had for us as he died on the cross. When you suffer for doing something good you are following in Jesus’ footsteps.
