Mother's Day

Today, after worship I was wished a happy mother's day by countless people.  Now I know that I'm new but I'm pretty sure they know that I'm not a mother.  In fact, I was even given a flower like the rest of the mothers in attendance.  At first I was taken aback, not sure if I should correct people, thank them or just let it go, chocking it up to old age and forgetfulness (after all some of them probably thought I was Pastor Melodi even though I'm pretty clearly not).  But as the cheerful Mother's Day greetings kept rolling in I found myself thanking them and feeling uplifted.

Now, I've always thought that the way we view "mothers" is entirely too limited.  In today's society, that is so broken and mangled, there is often pain and sorrow surrounding mother's day for more reasons than I even care to count.  We must acknowledge this pain but we must also uplift all those women who "mother" us.  It is not some vague celebration of all women, it's more exclusive than that but it's also not so inclusive that it is restricted to the biological function of giving birth.  It is the personal celebration of those women in our lives who have cared for us, uplifted us, loved us and taught us how to live; all the while remembering that those same women are human and sometimes fall short.

All this got me wondering - When does a woman become a mother?    Is it when she gets pregnant the first time?  When she gives birth?  Or is it something else entirely?  Is it when she first gives voice to her desire to have children?  Is it a feeling or emotion that is indescribably?  Or is it something that just happens one day when you find yourself caring deeply for the well-being of someone else?

I don't have any answers to this, but one thing is for sure, today I felt like a mother and I felt the joy and excitement of being with all those I love and care for both at church and at home.