Every woman can tell you her heart will heal when a mother asks for forgiveness. But not everyone gets an apology from their mother. With this being Mother’s Day weekend, I wanted to share a bit about my own mother, Joan, whom I admire and love immensely.
A taxi pulled up, and my mother hopped out of the cab. She was carrying a bundle. Mom slowly walked to the side door of her house with a baby in her arms
Me, and my two sisters, Shaun and Lisa, were jumping up and down with excitement. Mom had come home from the hospital with a baby boy…my brother Kirk. Mom hopped out of the vehicle and her children were ecstatic to see their new brother.
I don’t remember a whole lot about that day, but I do know I just assumed mom was back to regular life…serving her kids and husband, whom she loved.
Fast forward forty-five years, and I have a whole different appreciation for my mother now than I did as a child. Since then, I have raised my own five children and been a wife to Vance for nearly thirty years (I sound old) and now I appreciate my mother tremendously!
Mom gave birth to me the day before her own birthday. Our birthdays also fall on Mother’s Day weekend, most years. For about twenty years I never really thought about my mother’s birthday because I was too busy thinking about my own.
It was all about me.
Mom threw me a party when I turned twelve. When it came time to serve the cake, she cut it into pieces and handed me one. I took one look at my cake, threw it on the table and started yelling at my mother in front of my friends.
“I HATE cherry filling, why would you put that in my cake!!!!!”
Mom was shocked. I had never screamed at my mother before, especially not in front of my friends. In hindsight now, being a mother myself, I realize Mom forgot which one of her kids hated cherry filling (I can’t even remember my own kid’s names some days.)
Being the selfish brat that I was. I didn’t stop for a moment and think how wonderful my mom really was.
I didn’t appreciate the gift of having a mother. She was always my mom. I assumed she would always be there.
Mom is now seventy-three years old. I realize I may have twenty years or less, left with Mom. I am forty-nine and I need my mother just as much now, as I ever did.
We never stop needing our mothers.
If the whole world turned against me, I know my mother will still love me. I don’t doubt that for a second. Her care for me has been unconditional. No matter what decisions her four children have made, Mom loved us anyways.
Was she perfect…NO!
A few years ago mom did something that hurt me. She knew I was hurting. But I shut her out, and I feel so ashamed that I did that to my mother. She knew she couldn’t really talk to me in person, so Mom wrote me a letter apologizing humbly for what she did, and Mom asked for forgiveness and told me how much she loved me.
My heart melted.
I called Mom on the phone and thanked her for saying sorry. I knew she genuinely meant it. I forgave her. Mom and I are closer today than we ever were before. You see, mom had invested her life in her children, and when she apologized I couldn’t stay mad…I loved her too much.
Mother’s day is approaching soon, and maybe it’s a heart-wrenching time for you. Do you have a child that you have been estranged from, due to something you have done? Have they turned their back to you? Maybe you said something hurtful and your child has withdrawn.
When a mother is genuinely sorry and apologizes sincerely, most children will forgive their mothers.
I’m guessing you often think of that child and can only dream of getting a phone call or card, this Mother’s Day. I want to encourage you today to pick up your phone and call your son or daughter and say, “I’m sorry I hurt you! Will you forgive me?”
This might be the beginning of a new chapter for you and your child. One filled with laughter, coffee, visits, phone calls, and ‘I love you’s.’
Life is too short to be prideful and unforgiving.
Dear mother, consider reconnecting with your child. Ask God to bring joy back into your life, along with the child you miss so dearly. God wants to restore your relationship and fill your heart and arms, with those you love.
God is the creator of the FAMILY and desires his children to be at peace with each other.
But some children are rebellious and have left home due to their hardened hearts, and it may be no fault of the parent at all. God feels your brokenness and anguish over losing a child you love. He also wants to restore your relationship and bring back the joy you once had as a mother.
Bring your children to him and lay them at God’s feet where he can heal hearts, soften rebellion, change attitudes and reunite families.
God wants you to have a beautiful Mother’s Day. He desires to bless you abundantly, loves you immensely, and wants to bring your child back to you. Say a prayer today and ask God to give you an opportunity to reconnect with your child.
Afterall he is a parent too and knows what it’s like to want to be loved and cherished by his childrenđź’—
Wow, as an adult orphan Mother’s Day has always been bittersweet, however, my son’s make me smile and appreciate being their mother every day!
That is lovely that you have a caring sonđź’•
Yes, they are great guys!