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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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May 13, 2017

Let’s Talk About Mother’s Day

  “Rejoice with those who rejoice: mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15)

lavender topiaries on dining table

This is what we do on Mother’s Day.

Because, my friends, it IS actually possible to feel two emotions at the same time. This is a concept that has taken me years to grasp and was particularly difficult when I was in a season of mourning on Mother’s Day while everyone else seemed to be rejoicing.

vintage vignette

But, I have learned that there is room for both emotions to co-exist even in the exact same moment.

It’s an amazing thing when you realize that celebrating another’s joy doesn’t take away from your loss.

And it’s an equally amazing thing when you realize that mourning another’s loss doesn’t take away anything from your celebration.

Spring bouquet with lilacs and snowball blossoms

We can’t do it through our own strength though. It’s only by the power of Christ in us that we are able to accomplish this.

So, to those of you who will wake up on Mother’s Day and will be regaled with love and attention, we rejoice with you! This day is one of celebration for you and no one would ever begrudge you that.

And to those of you who face this day with a heavy heart because you are dealing with

loss

unfulfilled dreams

a traumatic past

a traumatic present

…we mourn with you. We pray for you.

And for all of you, no matter what your circumstances, don’t ever forget that today is just a day.

This day, this one little man-made ‘holiday’ doesn’t define us. It doesn’t prove our worth.

We are defined by the amazing, perfect love of our Heavenly Father and our priceless worth to Him.

cover photo option1

Praying you feel moments of joy this Mother’s Day whether you are rejoicing or mourning,

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11 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. cindy barganier says

    May 13, 2017 at 5:55 AM

    And then there’s the whole “who do you celebrate with” dilemma. My Mom is still with me thankfully but she’s in another city. I’m a mom but I’m also an only child which means a command performance is expected on this day but I also want to see my daughter who lives in another state. Daughter is a mom and her babies are celebrating her which would be great fun to watch. Then my husband and son in law both have moms in yet more distant places. The whole situation is just crazy. Who thought this up anyway? LOL

    Reply
  2. Cheryl Licht says

    May 13, 2017 at 8:20 AM

    So, so good Vanessa! Happy Mother’s Day! ❤️

    Reply
    • Cheryk Licht says

      May 13, 2017 at 10:10 AM

      I’m actually linking this my newsletter this weekend. I love the awareness, the permission to be where we are at and the empathy to embrace each other’s journey as well. Bless you!!

      Reply
      • At The Picket Fence says

        May 13, 2017 at 7:58 PM

        Oh thank you sweet friend for wanting to link to it in your newsletter! I’m so glad that it was an encouragement. xoxo

        Reply
  3. Elaine says

    May 13, 2017 at 1:57 PM

    Thank you, your words helped me a lot. As a mother I mourn the loss of my older son and of course my mother and mother -in-law.
    I do love seeing my daughter and daughter-in-la celebrating with their now grown children. I also feel for my friends who for one reason or the other did not become mothers. Take care

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      May 13, 2017 at 7:57 PM

      Elaine I don’t even have the right words to express how sorry I am for the losses of your loved ones. Please know that you are especially being prayed for!!

      Reply
  4. Julie B. says

    May 13, 2017 at 9:22 PM

    Thank you for the post. I LOVE that you always point us to Jesus! It’s truly a blessing.

    Reply
  5. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    May 16, 2017 at 7:31 AM

    Love this post!….Hope you two had a wonderful Mother’s Day.

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    May 9, 2018 at 6:51 PM

    Beautifully said.

    Reply
  7. L Jones says

    May 10, 2018 at 8:48 AM

    Though, we both have our mothers with us, kids were never part of God’s plan for our lives. Thanks for the reminder to be mindful of other situations. Sometimes, it can be hard and awkward (when it is ASSUMED you have kids).

    Reply
  8. Karen says

    May 11, 2018 at 8:34 AM

    Lovely. Well said.

    Reply

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The month of June is coming to a close and it has The month of June is coming to a close and it has been JAM packed! The highlight by far though was my son's graduation from high school. When I started blogging, he was only 6 years old and some of you have been apart of my community here for that entire time. Now, he's 19 and there is a reason parents are told not to blink because the years truly do go faster than I ever could have imagined. He has become such an incredible young man we are so excited to see how God is going to unfold the next chapter of his life. We celebrated with parties galore (SO many open houses to attend!) and made memories we'll forever cherish. My mama heart was filled to bursting with the joy of it all! Now we're taking some time to just enjoy these warm, summer days making even more memories because, when you’re at this stage of parenting, you know all too well how much you need to grasp every opportunity to spend time together.

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“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. Th “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace) 

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