This is a tribute to the moms without children – of their own.
I’ve posted this thought a number of times through the years, because I’m always sensitive to the “mothers” without children.
You know the ones. For whatever reason, they never had children.
Some never tried.
Others never could.
Some lost their child and maybe some gave them up for adoption.
Perhaps they tried waiting for marriage – and marriage hasn’t (or never did) happen for them.
For many women it’s a hidden pain they carry deeply. Deeper than any wound. The pain is deeper than most of us could probably understand. (Certainly, deeper than I can understand.)
Cheryl and I have witnessed this throughout our ministry. This has been one of the silent, unshared pains we have witnessed in churches where we have served. These are often the “unspoken” prayer requests.
For a Biblical example, I’m reminded of Hannah’s pain in 1 Samuel 1.
They never had children, but they:
- Care for others sacrificially, simply for the joy of giving.
- Are willing to fight lions, tigers and bears (Oh my!) for the ones they love.
- Have more strength than the average man when caring for someone.
- Are often taken advantage of because of their generosity.
- Love deeply and unconditionally.
- Make life special for others – just because.
- Find satisfaction in the simplest gestures of love.
- Strive to make the world a better place for those around them.
- Hide their pain – most of the time – when people take advantage of them.
- Are always thinking of others and willing to put others ahead of themselves.
Sounds every bit like a mother to me.
Many of them wanted children, but were never given the blessing. And motherhood is a blessing. Just as all parenting is.
They have no children.
But they have a mother’s heart.
They may not have children, not in the natural sense. They likely won’t get flowers, candy, or even a card for Mother’s Day. But in their heart they are every bit a mother.
They love like a mother. Sacrifice like a mother. Serve like a mother. Give – just like a mother gives.
And if God were to celebrate Mother’s Day, I think He would include them in the celebration.
Because in God’s way of doing things, it’s always about the heart.
“Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
This year, as you celebrate Mother’s Day, don’t forget the moms who have no children.
While you’re at it, don’t forget the one whose mother isn’t here any longer. And the one who has a hard story with their mother. And all the others who – as one person celebrates – another person weeps.
Let’s be like our God who is close to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18) and be sensitive to the needs of others.
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