10 Reasons to be Thankful On Mother’s Day When Filled With Hurt and Pain

Mother’s Day is one of the most joyous OR most painful day of the year. Like tears on a rose, it can reflect overwhelming joy or deep sorrow. Sadly, there are more mothers who do not experience praises from their child, but endure pain from a wayward teen or young adult in crisis. 

These crises are not ones in which your child can’t find their shoes or can’t get to their job on time.  It is not from a haircut gone wrong or having a disagreement with a friend.  No, the crises I am referring to are the ones centered around addictions, eating disorders, suicidal tendencies, mental illness, sexual identities, rebellious behaviors, and more.

The most notable day of the year, Mother’s Day, is difficult to celebrate when you have a teen or young adult who shuns you, says mean things, and doesn’t care..  

How can we as mothers, enjoy this day when our hearts are hurting and we are left with tears?

I could remember back in time how every single Mother’s Day was ruined by the actions of one of my children.  I rarely looked forward to this day due to the fact that my expectations were already at the lowest point from past experiences.  

In time, I knew not to expect much because they could not give much.  I am not talking monetarily, but emotionally and mentally.  You see, their pain was so deep that their focus could only be on themselves.  It was not so much about selfishness, but more so about them trying to figure out who they were, cope with life, and get through each day.  I began to realize that they were not really capable to go beyond those thoughts.  

I started to revert my way of thinking of what I could be thankful for during this Mother’s Day.  When I chose to look at the positive side instead of all of the negative, my outlook on this holiday changed.  I began to appreciate what I did have.  

Today, parents have children in desperate situations and living destructive lifestyles. How then can we still be thankful and take joy on Mother’s Day? God understands a mother’s heart and the aching she feels for her child. Knowing this, I was able to grasp what God was trying to reveal to me about being thankful for His goodness in all circumstances.

Here are some of the things that He wanted me to be thankful and even joyous for:

1. I am thankful that my child is still alive despite their rebellious lifestyle.
2. I am thankful that I can call a counselor to help relieve the heaviness on my shoulders.
3. I am thankful that there are mentors and coaches who are willing to walk side by side to bring about positivity in a time of difficulty.  Not just for me but for my children. 
4. I am thankful for those who pray for me and my family. 
5. I am thankful for programs and organizations that give support no matter what the issues are.
6. I am thankful for other mothers who recognize my emotional state as a mother and are praying for me.
7. I am thankful that I serve a living God who sees and helps me in every aspect as a mother and knows the hurt, anger, sorrow, and worry that I carry at times.  
8. I am thankful that God will continue to pursue my child and will not let go or give up on them because of my prayers.
9. I am thankful that God sees my weakness and exhaustion, and gives me periods of rest when I am overwhelmed. 
10. I am thankful that I do not have to walk this journey alone as a mother.  God is right there beside me.

Although Mother’s Day will not be perfect or the way we hope, one thing stands true. We can be thankful and even joyful during this special day for what we do have in Christ. His loving kindness, strength, peace, and healing for us, and our broken child, is all we need.  

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Photography by Cole Keister on Unsplash