How does an empty-nester mother celebrate Mother's Day? She is inbetween mainstream motherhood and grandmotherhood; part one of her job is done - so to speak. Now she awaits part two. Of course, once a mother, always a mother but there is 'downtime'.
It could be a bit depressing, maybe. Your role and identity has been bound tightly for all those 18-20 some years and now things are more or less out of your hands and you have time on your hands. What can you do?
Are we empty-nester mothers at a loss? Let's not be lost and tossed about. Let's hone in on 1 John 3:1-3 (ESV), which reads,
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure."
For those of us who have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord we are called a child of God and He has lavished His love upon us. This 'downtime,' why not bask in His love.
We've given limitless love and care to our children. Now let our Heavenly Father give you His love and care to us, His child (ren).
As we bask and bathe in His embrace -so to speak - let His love work His restoring power in us as we 'regroup' and prepare for grandmotherhood. We are His precious jewels. We are mothers of worth. We can get our identity now, not in our mothering, but in HIM.
Meditate upon that! He loves us, cares for us because we are His child(ren), made in His image. As we ponder on this and the love He has for us, we can be moulded and shaped to be more like Jesus.
When we have this cloak of love about us, we have hope in Him. In turn, we purify ourselves even as He is pure. We can be mothers who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. We will be renewed and refreshed.
We may have thought we have no more value, worth or 'use' to anyone. That is a way out fallacy! We have His love, His image, Hope in Him and that progressive purifying process even with our older age.
This is indeed something to celebrate!
Mothers, Grandmothers, Mothers-to-be and Grandmothers-to-be, celebrate!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Heavenly Father, You have bestowed so much love upon us. Bless each and every mother, grandmother and those "to-be's" with Your blessings. Remind us we are all women of worth. Help us to influence those in our care with careful nurturing and teaching them of Your great love, introducing them to Jesus. Thank You for calling us Your children. In Jesus' name we give You our thanks and gratitude, amen.
~ ERC May 20-25 ~
Based on 1 John 3:1-3 ESV.
Sing, Behold What Manner of Love (Children's song), along with Baptist Favorite Hymnal Songs.
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