Tapestry

Often the worst day of the year for an infertile woman is Mother’s Day. On this holiday going to a house of worship can feel more like going to the house of mourning.

Yesterday I enjoyed a delicious lunch with a wonderful group of godly women. Although only a few of them are my close friends, I admire them all and look forward to our infrequent lunches because the conversation always refreshes me spiritually. In contrast, I remember another meal years ago with a friend and her friends where the discussion focused on the material and the physical. When I left, I was struck with the thought that much time with them would likely leave me feeling bad about my looks, my clothing, or my finances—or maybe all three. 

My choice of companions has made a huge difference in the person I am today. “As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend” (Prov. 27:17). Do your friends sharpen or dull you to the things of God?

Sometimes it's the simplest things that help us navigate life. The old, old adage "this too shall pass" is one of them.

Before they hung Jesus on the cross, the soldiers offered him a little wine mixed with myrrh--a way to escape the full reality of his pain. Did you ever think seriously about why he refused?

(You’re welcome. Tee-hee!)

The Mother’s Day holiday can be like a minefield; fraught with opportunities for disaster and possible maiming. It’s not as dangerous as, say, Valentine’s Day, but the lingering effects of a badly thought-out gift can be pretty uncomfortable. Here are some ways to honor the moms in your life.

Several summers ago I found myself meditating on the simple verse Micah 6:8, “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? KJV.“ As I sought to understand each admonition I settled on the word humbly, asking the Lord what does it look like to walk in a humble manner.

I’m a terrible dancer. For weeks leading up to our wedding, my husband and I practiced that step-slide-slide movement until I could stumble my way through it. Our one dance together was simple—no twists or turns—just three stilted steps.

In part 1, I talked about grieving as a necessary part of emotional healing. The other part is forgiving, separating ourselves emotionally and spiritually from the offense so that we can continue to be healthy toward the offender. As I said last time, forgiving is like pulling out the soul-splinter that is causing pain and the emotional "pus" that accumulates from unresolved pain and anger. (Grieving discharges this emotional pus.) Forgiving releases the person who hurt us into the Lord's care, for Him to deal with.

Guilt.

The “Motherhood Guilt” creeps in from Day One; well, actually, from before that.  The experts start talking (i.e. we start reading), and we realize how, even as the baby is in the womb, we are doing it all wrong. The guilt keeps growing as the little one comes into this world, and we start to make those seemingly all important decisions: Faber, Sears, Whisperer, or Happiest on the Block? The voices of friends, neighbors, mommas, and even strangers flood us with instruction. Who do we listen to? And, why is our own voice and, more importantly, God’s voice the last ones we consider?

I'm tired of it. (Well, let's be honest, I'm just tired.) But, I am also looking for some ways to change.