By Pastor Teddy Joseph
“The phrase “April showers bring May flowers” is a popular saying used during April when the last bit of snow turns to all rain as temperatures climb, and increased rain shower activity sparks the beginning of flowers and plants to really start blooming.”
This phrase may go back to a 1610 poem or an 1886 phrase. The saying itself originates from the United Kingdom, where April for them is one of the soggier months based on the position of the jet stream. The lower temperatures often push back the appearance of flowers to late April and early May.
Such is the case with some individuals on Mother’s Day. It’s a holiday where young children proudly present their mom’s hand-made ostentations gifts and warm embraces. There are various ways in which mothers are celebrated on that special day; breakfast in bed, shopping, a bouquet of flowers, a special dinner or an outing with the entire family.
The scriptures say that “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” A mother who knows she is valued can handle almost anything. But if a woman is never praised, she will feel unloved, unskilled, and useless.
A mother needs to be thanked, prized and praised every day. The highest praise any woman can receive is praise from God, for God says, “The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit … is of great worth in God’s sight.”
There are spiritual and adoptive mothers who deserve acknowledgement as well. In the story of Ruth, Naomi, her mother-in-law lost her husband and both their sons in a foreign land. Her only option was to go back to her homeland in Canaan.
Ruth, being born a foreigner, decided to go back with her. The words and actions Naomi displayed and lived out during her time in a foreign land and the counsel and friendship she provided to Ruth caused Ruth to claim Naomi’s God as her own. Through a loving relationship, Ruth expressed faith both in Naomi and to her God.
But for many, Mother’s Day is far from this ideal narrative. Akin to April showers, it is a day filled with complicated emotions, grief, and conflicting realities.
Many have lost their mothers in the past couple of years, or some are weary from years of struggling with infertility, while others are estranged from their adult children. These situations and the griefs associated with them affect everyone.
Even Christ was impacted with grief when Lazarus lay dead in the tomb. Christ understands the grief and suffering that all go through, especially women. However, the bible promises the believer that “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Mourning is a reminder that God comforts women.
May flowers of joy will eventually fill up the places where showers of tears were once shed.
Just like the death of Jesus Christ, that weeping may endure for a night, His resurrection represents the joy that comes in the morning for all mothers who trust in his guidance and rest in his comfort to get through the hard days. So, whether you’re a biological, adoptive or spiritual mother, know that your April tears will eventually become your May joys.
Teddy Joseph is the pastor at the Stettler and Sedgewick Seventh-day Adventist Church.