MY WORST (and BEST) MOTHER’S DAY EVER
I only wanted 3 things from my family on Mother's Day.
No drinking.
No f'bombs.
Everyone goes to church.
But before Mother's Day had even dawned, a shout roused me from my dreams.
"Mom!!! Come quick. Dad's bleeding. Brother's hurt. They got in a f(BLEEP!)n' fight."
I threw them some band-aids and slept on the couch that night.
"We were just horsing around. Things got a little out of hand," they rushed to apologize at the breakfast table.
Had I failed them, or did they fail me?
Either way, they showed up with flowers. I set the lilacs aside and held on to the hurt.
Didn't I deserve better?
In my sinful, self-righteous heart, I decided I didn't want anyone to see our family this way.
"You don't have to come to church," I told my sailor-cussin' daughter.
I also dismissed my husband, now sporting two black eyes.
Then I looked at my son holding ice to his swollen jaw. This busted-up family was all I ever wanted.
In that moment, I knew what the prodigal son's father must have felt (minus the Big Time wrestling match).
You have to let them go. Your children. Your best laid plans. The deepest desires of your soul.
In my barely-grown kids' eyes I saw my own shame.
Enough, I thought. I won't pass judgment. Instead, I'll set them free.
"You don't have to come," I repeated.
"We're going," they said and followed me to church anyway.
Our pastor lingered at our pew, taking in the scene — four humans trying to be like Jesus, yet bruised, bewildered, and broken. He smiled warmly, said Happy Mother's Day, dear, walked to the pulpit, and preached a sermon on grace.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." — Ephesians 2:8
God's grace. The perfect gift for every woman who hopes for the best and accepts the worst.
God's grace. Exactly what real humans need.
Forgiveness. Cleansing. Strength to rise up. Hope to do better tomorrow.
My family was a living, breathing illustration of the sermon that day. Even though we failed, we showed up for each other and Jesus anyway.
Perhaps that's the best we can ask for. To live out the Gospel with all our imperfect hearts. To love and be loved as we are.
Grace upon grace upon grace. Flowing from the cross of Christ.
What we want isn't always what we need.
What we freely give to God and others comes back.
And that, Momma, is a gift that lasts forever.
Happy Mother's Day.