Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Today is a bit of mixed of emotions. Having struggled through the pain of infertility and waiting almost 7 years after marriage for our son to rest in my arms, I understand the heartbreak that some ladies feel on Mother’s Day.

For those who have not been blessed with a husband or baby, the pain hurts and hurts deeply.

Having endured the pain, I have reached the other side to experience the joy of holding my precious children shortly after birth.

I understand the busyness of nursing, pumping, changing diapers, snagging a quick nap, repeating instructions, sacrificing things I want to do to help my child, potty training, cleaning, laundry, picking up the toys I just put away, and the million other tasks that come with mothering.

In the midst of the everyday are the precious moments of the spontaneous hugs, bursts of laughter, and games of hide-and-seek.

Surrounded by boo-boos to kiss, bedtime stories, and snuggles during illness, mothers are constant. We are not perfect and rarely accomplish all our tasks, but we embrace the moments of today.

As I cried through much of our pastor’s sermon today focused on Hannah’s motherhood journey, I was so encouraged by the thought that moms matter. We fight for our kids, we pray for them, we care for them, and we worship with them.

Though I felt pain before I had children wanting the void filled, I still experience pain after having them. Now, I struggle in protecting them and caring for them.

As moms, we have a big responsibility in rearing the next generation. We take on the responsibility without regret. Press on, dear mom, your efforts are not in vain.

As the struggles and pain come, remember that God is in control, and all the cleaning, feeding, and nurturing matters. They matter because moms matter.

Happy Mother’s Day!