As I observed this vacant scene on the shores of Lake Erie, I marveled at the wonder of God’s creation and how, every year, He allows nearly every sign of life to be obscured by ice, freezing temperatures and snow.
When we first started trying for a baby two and a half years ago, the early months held tendrils of hope. My mind swam with thoughts of our future family, not thinking for a moment of the difficulty we might face along the way.
It was 6AM, and my eyes were heavy as I tried to make sense of the Scripture passage laid out in front of me.
Infertility is a physical problem, but it has ramifications that go far beyond the physical. God gave us not just a body, but a mind, heart, and soul (Matthew 22:37).
Our pastor didn’t mean to insult us. He was making an observation out loud after another couple in our small group announced they were pregnant. My husband and I hadn’t shared our fertility struggles yet. So he had no idea that his comment would stab me in the heart.
Dear pastors, Thanks for all you do to shepherd our churches. We know it's not easy work, and we're grateful for the sacrifices you make to love and serve us. With Mother's Day coming, we want to share something you might not realize. Mother's Day Sunday is wonderful and important ... and incredibly painful. Here are some ideas and thoughts for those that are not mothers.
To our church families: You might not realize that Mother's Day Sunday is the hardest church service for us to attend. We love moms and want to honor them. But the very nature of the holiday reminds us of what we don't have. And sitting through a service that elevates motherhood to the neglect of those who aren't mothers is hard to bear.
We want to share some suggestions for how you can BOTH honor moms AND show love to those who are hurting…
