Mothers’ day is one day that is common globally, though celebrated at different dates of the year. The common, the day set aside to display and speak eulogy of women who are mothers in their own right. A day that brings mixed feelings to those being celebrated and those celebrating them.
A day where the one, alive or dead is celebrated and thanked for countless days spent caring for others. A few months ago, I had posted series on “Gratitude to Helpmeet” as part of the celebration of women’s day and to extend gratitude to the women in my sphere of influence. Women who have by their connections impacted my life. Amongst such women were 4 women, all of them mothers. They have and continually impact my life, and my story is incomplete without reference to their tireless and unflinching contributions to the woman I am today.
For this post, I am choosing to focus on the unsung “She-roes”. Women who, sometimes not by their choice, are infected by that dreaded word “infertility”. The very first one recorded was Sarah, albeit for a few decades, she finally gave birth to a son, named Isaac, whose wife also suffered this, albeit shorter, 20 years! In Sarah’s case and for countless others, “infertility” was handed down without prior discussion with them. It was simply put, “she was barren because God had not opened her womb.” How do you take that verdict, what did she do to deserve such a predicament?
In today’s world this case still repeats with women who go through the medical process to try to “open their wombs” so they can be called mothers like every other woman. Some of them have been given the verdict pretty similar to Sarah, nothing can be done. Some have become miracle mothers when God intervenes and miraculously opens their wombs.
Now this is not a post about trying to understand the criteria by which God choses from this pool of women to do this miracle. He is after all, Sovereign and does whatever He pleases. That is why HE IS GOD and answers to no one! Ask Job (smiles).
This is post about what these women struggling or living with this “situation” AND what they do as “mothers” regardless of what their biological framework currently dictates.
These women sometimes forgotten on Mothers’ Day. They through their “maternal” longing to be mothers may choose to adopt shelters where they volunteer countless hours showering love on abandoned children. They choose to be there for others, babysitting friend’s children, neighbors and family. They raise children through the foster care systems, children from struggling parents/challenging home situations, providing love and stability. They volunteer in children related programs to provide teaching and guidance/after school care in community events. They adopt and make these children their own. They mentor and coach other children, youth and young adults to make better impactful choices.
Recently I posted on social media this statement – “Still waiting for a tweet or 2, posting or podcast, article dedicated to women dealing with #infertility still playing the role of motherhood” #WeMatterToo #MothersDay
As you go about celebrating your mother or wife on Mothers’ Day, consider and do share the moments of this day with these women, they will truly appreciate your candor and gratitude.
Pastor Dr Evelyn Brisibe lives in Calgary with her husband. She is an avid reader with keen interest in topics that are dear to her heart in the given season of life she is currently experiencing, check out her blog, Amareno4Him Outside of her local parish, Dr. E influences, mentors and coaches with focus on migrant professional women. She enjoys a game of Badminton if she is not prayer walking through her community as the weather permits.