“God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.” – [Isaiah 61:3] (The Message)

I am looking forward to Mothers day this year. My oldest now knows how to write and I’m guessing he’ll make me a card with his best handwriting. My middle son will probably draw me a very nice picture of an astronaut–his ‘theme’ du jour, and my youngest will be 9 weeks old and full of smiles.

Mother’s day wasn’t always like this. For many years, I tried everything I could think of to forget the day. It is not a happy day for everyone on the planet–no matter what the jewelry and flower commercials try to make us think. The first mother’s day after my abortion was just awful. (Whew. There it is. That word in print with my name attached.)

When I was in a crisis pregnancy, I didn’t think about what my life was going to be like “after.”  I was just trying to quickly get out of a situation that I felt was hopeless. No one told me Mother’s Day would always tug at my heart, even after I gave birth to my other children. No one told me the consequences of that decision would affect the rest of my life.

That first year ‘after’ I didn’t know that there was a loving God that loved me enough to send His son to die for MY sins— praise God, I do now.  When I talk with those thinking about having an abortion, I can tell them the truth in love: that their situation is not hopeless; that they have a choice to choose life; that there are people and organizations like ICU Mobile not to judge, but to help; that there is a loving God who cares for them, right now, even when they are feeling lost and confused.

On Mother’s Day we celebrate and honor our Mothers. This year, in addition to thanking God for your mother, please join me in prayer:

Father God, I pray for all those who are feeling hopeless and unsure about their pregnancy. Please direct them to someone who can share the truth about their choices and about your Son. I pray for those with a languid spirit on this Mother’s day because of past decisions. Please open their hearts to the love of Christ so they may repent, heal, and receive a bouquet of roses for their ashes. Thank you Lord, for your redemptive grace. In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.