On May 10, mothers from one end of this nation to the other will be honored by their children, and many will honor their own mothers as well. Personally, I had the most remarkable mother that any human being could ever hope to have. My mom, Bertha, was a solidly faithful, courageous and loving woman who gave her all to her daughters and to her son. My brother was with us for such a brief period of time, but each day was so special for all of us. There is not a day that goes by that I do not reflect on how my mother cared for that special little boy, my brother Mark, who's Down syndrome weakened his small body and made it impossible for him to fight off a common cold. Even during his illness and death, my mother was a beacon of love in the midst of her sorrow and her pain.
I have fond memories of my mom, memories that have constantly reminded me that there is no better role model for me than her. So on this coming Mother's Day I will not only appreciate my own children in a special way, but once again my mom.
It is a sad commentary on our times that so many young mothers will never have the opportunity to be embraced by their children, or learn valuable lessons from their children, or appreciate the wonder of a child who grows up to become a fine, upstanding member of the human race. Such mothers will miss so much in their lives because they chose to end their child's life before birth rather than welcome and affirm the gift of that child.
While the acceptance and advocacy of abortion is, if nothing else, a testimony to our current cultural attitudes toward parenthood and the rejection of the blessing of giving of one's self for the benefit of another, there are movements afoot to change all that. More expectant mothers today are carrying their babies to term than ever before. Fewer of them are exercising their choice to kill.
But that does not mean that the abortion industry is asleep at the wheel. Far from it, as Planned Parenthood made perfectly clear in its most recent e-mail blast asking for money. The hook was Judy Blume, an active supporter of PP and author of numerous children's books. Blume wrote, "There is no organization that I know of that supports motherhood and all that it means more than PP."
What a perfect example of society's disdain for what it really means to be a mother.
Commenting on Blume's inane statement, Wednesday STOPP Report editor Marie Hahnenberg writes,
Sure, we could just laugh when we read this, because we all know this is so far from the truth. But this is nothing to laugh about. PP has murdered over 4,000,000 babies in the United States. PP has no clue as to what motherhood is all about.
Indeed! As is always the case, harbingers of gloom, doom and destruction never saw a special day they could not corrupt with their messages of death. Having said that, I have to admit it is my firm conviction that such organizations are on the way to defeat. They know it and thus find it necessary to use every opportunity they can to entice the uninformed into believing that there is something good and self-satisfying about killing your own child before he is born. As tragic as this is, we know that evil will not triumph at the end of the day. In the meantime, it is taking its toll and we need to not only be mindful of it, but prayerful about it.
So as we go about basking in our blessings this Mother's Day, let's say a prayer for mothers, far and wide. Here is one of my favorites prayers for mothers which was published by Women for Faith and Family:
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank You for our mothers to whom You have entrusted the care of every precious human life from its very beginning in the womb.
You have given to woman the capacity of participating with You in the creation of new life. Grant that every woman may come to understand the full meaning of that blessing, which gives her an unlimited capacity for selfless love for every child she may be privileged to bear, and for all Your children.
Watch over every mother who is with child, strengthen her faith in Your fatherly care and love for her and for her unborn baby. Give her courage in times of fear or pain, understanding in times of uncertainty and doubt, and hope in times of trouble. Grant her joy in the birth of her child.
To mothers You have given the great privilege and responsibility of being a child's first teacher and spiritual guide. Grant that all mothers may worthily foster the faith of their children, following the example of Mary, Elizabeth, and other holy women who follow Christ. Help mothers to grow daily in knowledge and understanding of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and grant them the wisdom to impart this knowledge faithfully to their children, and to all who depend upon them.
Assist all "spiritual mothers", those who, though they may have no children of their own, nevertheless selflessly care for the children of others – of every age and state in life. Grant that they may know the joy of fulfilling this motherly calling of women, whether in teaching, nursing, religious life, or in other work which recognizes and fosters the true dignity of every human being created in Your image and likeness.
We beseech You to send Your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to all mothers who sorrow for children that have died, are ill or estranged from their families, or who are in trouble or danger of any kind. Help grieving mothers to rely on Your tender mercy and fatherly love for all your children.
We ask your blessing on all those to whom You have entrusted motherhood. May Your Holy Spirit constantly inspire and strengthen them. May they ever follow the example of Mary, mother of Our Lord, and imitate her fidelity, her humility, and her self-giving love. May all mothers receive Your Grace abundantly in this earthly life, and may they look forward to eternal joy in Your presence in the life to come.
We ask this through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. AMEN.
Have a most blessed Mother's Day!