Motherless and Childless

From a biblical perspective we see that God holds mothers in high regard. He commands children to honor and obey their mother and father (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1). Jesus, while dying on the cross, made provisions for His mother (John 19:26–27). And mothers are entrusted by God with the care of their families (Titus 2:5). In fact, there is almost a whole chapter in the book of Proverbs devoted to extolling the virtues of a woman who was a wife and mother (Proverbs 31:9–31)!

Most people look forward to and celebrate Mother’s Day. However, for some it is a painful reminder of what they have lost or never had. My mother and I had a very close relationship. I can honestly say that as I became an adult she was my best friend. I shared everything with her. Then in 1995, in the span of a few short months, she died from cancer. My whole world seemed to fall apart—I had lost my mother and my best friend. I remember how I dreaded attending church on Mother’s Day. In my opinion, there wasn’t much to celebrate, and I eventually decided to stay home on those days.

In 2002, my husband and I decided to expand our family by having a child. After more than a year of trying, followed by testing, we were told that we would never have biological children. Thus, I added to my reasons not to celebrate Mother’s Day. Not only was I motherless, but now I was also childless.

However, in 2005 I celebrated my first Mother’s Day with more happiness than ever as I shared it with my daughter Elizabeth, whom we adopted from China just a few months earlier. What a difference 10 years can make! I still miss my mom very much and wish Elizabeth could share Mother’s Day with her grandma, but I look forward to the day when we will all be together in heaven. Several of my friends have suffered miscarriages over the last year, and I know this past Sunday was very difficult for them. As I thought of them, I hugged and kissed my daughter more than ever, and realized how very thankful I am for her. God’s path for me was not one I would have chosen, but He has taught me many things. I am grateful for the wonderful mom I had and the wonderful child I now have the privilege of being a mother to.