Every Mother's Day is a First

By Adam Faughn

     For some, today is their first Mother's Day as a mother. They just had their first child, so today is special in that way.
     For some, today is their first Mother's Day as a grandmother. They are seeing their own daughter hold a precious child for her first Mother's Day.
     For some, today is their first Mother's Day as a mother of two (or three or...). They are getting extra kisses and hugs (and a well-deserved extra cup of coffee).
     For some, today is their first Mother's Day without their mother living. So, today will be bittersweet.
     For some, today is their first Mother's Day with an estranged relationship with their mom or child. There might be a phone call, but it will not be easy.
     For some, today is their first Mother's Day since losing a child. There will be memories and, likely, some tears.
     For some, today is their first Mother's Day with a child a long distance away geographically. It might be the first one where they are not physically in the same place.
     For some, today is their first Mother's Day with a child back in the same area; thus, the first they can spend together in a long time.
     We could go on, but markers on our calendar, like Mother's Day, are reminders of how each year contains firsts. Some are happy. Some are hard. Others are simply reflections of the normal passage of time. Each, though, is part of the tapestry of life, and mothers are an invaluable part of that picture.
     God thought that mothers were so important that He gave every human being ever born a mother. A true godly mother, though, is rare. Today, no matter what "first" you are going through, if you are striving to be a godly mother, we honor and thank you. Reflect on why this Mother's Day is a "first," and use it as an opportunity to be grateful for what is good and learn from what might be a struggle.
     To every mother, we say "Happy Mother's Day," but to those who are striving to be godly and righteous, we say a heartfelt and gracious "thank you."

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org