Honor for mothers without children

I just felt like writing something today that weighs on my heart - especially on Mother's Day.

• for those that still wait to find their other half
• for those anxiously looking for the pink lines on the white stick 
• for those with empty arms year after year
• for those grieving the loss of their own mom
• for those who experienced loss within their womb
• for those who buried a little one alongside shattered pieces of their hearts
• for those praying
• for those losing hope
• for those aching
• for those yearning
• for those days when we compare ourselves to others
• for those waiting and waiting to adopt

We all have a story and it's so different from person to person, but we all experience trials.  I like to think that my trials have made me better and given me a heart of empathy where I can imagine the pain that others walk through.

My story has watched my own mother bury a teenage daughter, my sister.   My story has miscarriage.  My story has stillbirth.  My story has the burial of our only son.  My story has questions - why was I gifted with children and another not.

My story has me unworthy and I didn't always pray humbly and graciously, BUT I did have faith that He was with me even when I felt so alone.  I read the book of Samuel in my Bible several times over and over and yearned like Hannah pouring out my heart in prayer.  Answers do not always come as we hope, but I had faith that He was listening.

So.... maybe, contemplate this beautiful poem:

Maybe there are Mothers without Children

Maybe there are mothers without children

On whom this day will smile out of love.

The name, perhaps, is honored by the burden,

However justified, or not, by blood.

Each love of children, even not one's own

Reverberates throughout this world of stone,

Singing of what nothing else could prove.

~author Nicholas Gordon

...and the love for a child, the yearn for a child, needs to be honored.
 

My heart's desire that I can offer some comfort.  I am praying for those needing it today.  I hope that those hurting today, will feel honored by the desire to love a child.  It is a Mother's heart.