When Mother’s Day Stings

I love mothers day, but it also stings. I have a wonderful mother who encouraged me and taught me so much. I love honoring her. I also have a wonderful mother-in-law who helped shape my husband into the man I love. God blessed me with three beautifully messy kids. They call me mom.

But…I think of folks who mourn the loss of their moms. How mother’s day reminds them their mothers are gone from this earth.

I think of people who grieve moms who abandoned them or abused them. Mother’s day means something different to them.

I remember my friends who desperately want children but have been unable to have them. I mourn with those who lost children to disease, miscarriage, or accident. My heart aches for those dealing with the scars of failed adoptions and successful abortions.

Mother’s Day stings and burns and blooms at the same time. Isn’t tha the way of God? He takes our messy fallen sinful world and redeems something in the midst of the stinging burn. He transforms the pain into character and redeems grief into something He can use for His glory.

Maybe here in the midst of the pain and joy God is having His way with us. When we open our grief-filled hands and give the pain to Him, then He can make something new from it. Here our load is lighter in the midst of knowing His hope and glory. In return He gives us joy for our mourning and beauty for our ashes.

Praying you experience God’s peace and joy when Mother’s day stings.

Angela is a stumbling woman in need of God’s scandalous grace. Through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, she bears the name Christian. She speaks and writes to make much of this God, His only Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who lives in her. She graduated college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse. She also obtained her Masters of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies through Knox Theological Seminary.

4 Comments

  1. Karen Maag on May 11, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    Thank you Angela for this … I’ve been trying to write a blog myself about the ‘sting’ of Mother’s Day and haven’t been able to do it. 

    I had 3 mothers by the time I was 9 months old. The 1st couldn’t take care of me – my 2nd mother knew I wasn’t her’s to keep and my 3rd mother didn’t want a child (which she told me more than she said ‘I Love You’.

    Mother’s Day and her birthday was the hardest for me. I had to find a card that wasn’t mushy – she wasn’t the mushy type. Your blog blessed me this evening … I can’t say thank you enough.

    • Angela_Mackey Angela_Mackey on May 11, 2012 at 8:31 pm

      Ok Karen, My heart breaks for you–the little girl who so much wanted a mother to love her. I am humbled God could use my words to bless you. Karen, you are loved with an everlasting love and His arms are supporting you now.

  2. joyceglass on May 12, 2012 at 9:29 am

    Angela, I posted this on Facebook.  It resonated with many of my friends.  

    Thank you for sharing, because sometimes in our joy we forget this holiday and others are not always good ones.  

    Keep up the great post!  I love reading them!  Your personality shines through, and I love it!!!

    • Angela_Mackey Angela_Mackey on May 12, 2012 at 10:13 am

      Joyce. Thanks for reposting this. I am humbled God would use my words to touch others. He is so good. Blessings.

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