From Mourning to Dancing

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NASB95

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,” Isaiah 61:1-2 NASB95

Thinking about Mother’s Day as it approaches, it is with mixed emotions. I am so very thankful and blessed to celebrate my Mom. She is generous and kind. She loves her family and has always put their many needs above her own. I am also blessed to have many other women in my life who have shown me great love, provided guidance and held me up when I needed strength greater than my own. These women deserve to be honored on Mother’s Day. However, it is a day that I also, like many others, grieve. On this day, there is a sadness that I usually keep boxed up. Things I don’t speak about often and keep wrapped tightly. I know I am not alone and that many other women feel as bittersweet about this day. The loss of a mother, the loss of child, a miscarriage, the woman who prayed and believed for a child that never came. These things speak of lost time, chances and opportunities to make precious memories. In my spirit I recognize that these things were not God’s design. Loss was never meant to be a part of our lives. God created us (Genesis 1-3) and placed us in a perfect garden. We were placed in charge of everything created, but we wanted more. We wanted equality with God. Our choice ushered in the knowledge of good and bad, joy and sorrow. Since then God has been working to restore us to His original plan. He is working to restore us to eternity with Him.

I believe God is who He says and is more than able to do all He has promised. I choose to look past my “knowledge” and trust in the Creator of all things. In Revelation, chapter 21, verse 4, states: “God Himself will be among them and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain; for the first things have passed away.”

There are times in life when I have to trust in God and not my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). There will always be things in this life that will be a mystery until I am standing face to face with my God and King (Deuteronomy 29:29). But I know that He has provided protection when I needed it, strength when I was weak and a peace when I had none. He has taken times of sorrow and replaced them with joy. The pain of loss will never fully dissipate, but the intensity of it lessens with time. Not because we forget, but because God is faithful to pour out His supernatural grace and peace when it is needed most.

Lord, I pray for my sisters in Christ. They are grandmothers, mothers, aunts, daughters, sisters, nieces and cousins. They have an incredible impact on the lives around them. I speak Your strength upon them. I declare that they recognize Your Spirit in them and allow You to work in mighty ways through them. Comfort them when they feel the sting of loss and pour out your peace that embraces them through it all. Help us to see one another in all the aspects of life’s journey and to encourage one another building each up in Your most perfect love. May they recall Your outpouring of grace and mercy over their lives and allow it to build their faith in Your everlasting goodness. May they feel the power of Your love upon them this day and all throughout the year. Fill their Mother’s Day with rejoicing and dancing. For they are above all Your daughters and You love them more than they can even imagine! Amen!