What is a mother? As I think about what to write for this upcoming Mother’s Day, the word that comes to mind is simply LOVE. A mother is love in its purest form – from the moment a child is conceived, she becomes a mother. She watches her body change and begin to grow this tiny little miracle inside of her. It’s been a while since I had the joy of carrying a baby in my womb, yet I still remember all the little details – from excitement to awe and wonder, and even a little fear at times. Would I know what to do, what would labor be like, would I be able to nurse? I think I miss the kicks the most – watching my entire tummy shift from one side to the other while my baby moved.
And as I birthed my children, moving into that sweet and precious place of seeing a beautiful baby that the Lord knit together in my womb. One He knew about long before the beginning of time. And, getting to go through all the “firsts” – first words, first steps, first day of school, first school dance, first last day of school, wedding days, births of grandchildren and all the in-betweens.
And yes, at times in my journey of being a mother, I remember feeling inadequate, unequipped, and invisible.
I think about Hagar, an Egyptian slave of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. See God had promised Abraham he would have a son. However after waiting for several years, and both Sarah and Abraham well into their old age, Sarah decided to give Hagar to her husband to “build a family” through her (Gen. 16:2), a common practice in that time.
Though Sarah had orchestrated this situation, she became very jealous of Hagar once she found out this slave mistress was pregnant. Sarah began mistreating Hagar to the point she ran away into the desert – distraught, sad and all alone. Can you imagine how she must have felt – wondering if she would ever truly be noticed or loved? She had become an abandoned single mother with no one to love her or her unborn child – much like our SONshine Mamas.
The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert. He began to comfort her, letting her know the Lord had heard of her misery (and He was there). Hagar gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me” (El Roi). In her moment of vulnerability and invisibility, Hagar found comfort in the fact that God saw her and cared for her.
Mamas, whether you are in a season of joy, waiting or feeling invisible, God is always there. He sees you, he is holding you and he wants you to fall into the security of his arms. He CHOSE you to be your child/children’s mother – one of our highest callings in life. Rest in Him – you are chosen, loved and adored by your creator and HE SEES YOU! God bless all the moms – both seen and unseen, all those who longed to be a mom and all those who bravely chose adoption. GOD SEES YOU! May you be blessed this Mother’s Day!
