Tomorrow's task

I am doing a spot of speaking tomorrow at church. Not something I DO. And not a topic I speak on. I have been thinking about it all week, and am not really any closer to establishing exactly what I am going to say.

Mother’s Day.

I have been reading a lot of blogs, articles as they have come my way, tweets, referring to articles, or a husband asking us all to pray for his wife this particular weekend.

I am a women, aunt, daughter, granddaughter, friend, Godmother, and yet I am not a mother. Yet-I trust. So, while I greatly feel the privilege of what I have been amazingly blessed to give, while I am not a wife, nor a mother, feel wholly unqualified for the task at hand.

So. Mother’s, Aunt’s, Godmother’s, friends, Women, what do we then say to you, to bless, love, honor, fill, encourage, empower you in all you do and all you are?

Today, we want to honor women, all women. From those who hope to be mothers to those who have generations, those who have loved and lost, those who journey a road of joy or heartbreak, and everything in between often at the same time. We want to honor all women in your journey.

Thank you for all you do in caring beyond reason for others, for loving beyond your strength and ability, for persevering when all hope seems gone, and marveling at the wondrous joy, blessing and delight it is to journey alongside others.

I want to remind you that no matter who you are, who is currently in your hands to care for, where you are or where you are going, you are loved. Not just loved, but loved with an everlasting love that passes all understanding and depth.

You are God’s masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)

You are forgiven (Eph. 1:7).

You are a new creature (II Cor. 5:17).

You are strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10).

You are accepted in Christ (Eph. 1:6).

You are loved with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

You are overtaken with blessings (Deut. 28:2).

Ann Voskamp wrote this week- ‘And there will be tears and there will be laughter — because what messes our life up most — is the expectation of what our life is supposed to look like, It won’t be perfect — but we’ll be prodigals.

Because can count on it: Mother’s Day is for the birds – us who are flying on the wings of His grace and a prayer.

Thank you to every mom, every single person who nurtures and lives life-giving lives…. we need you: (Ann Voskamp)

We have a gift for all the women here today, a photo of an incredible painting by Justine, who painted it for her mother. You can see it here today, so go and have a look. She has wonderfully shared her amazing gift with us today. With the photo comes the verse from Jeremiah 31:3- I have loved you with an everlasting love, and that is my hope for each of you today, that you will know more deeply the depths of that everlasting love.

Thanks