A Mother’s Day Prayer for Those Without a Mother

You know our hearts
and you know that today

some of our hearts ache.

As others rightfully celebrate
the joy and love
of the mothers in their lives,
this day,
for some of us,
is a somber reminder
of the absence in our lives.

For some of us,
if we buy flowers today,
it will only be
in order to place them
by a graveside.

For some of us,
if we buy a card today,
it will only be
in hopes of knowing
our mothers one day.

For some of us,
if we buy a gift today,
it will only be
in pensive anticipation
of repairing
a breached relationship.

For some of us,
there will be no hugs today,
no gentle kisses on the cheek,
no laughter,
no smiles from ear to ear.

For some of us,
today is a day of longing.

For some it will be tearful.
For others it will be wistful.
For for other is will just be
empty.

Be with us
in these times,
even as we strive
to be present for each other.

Remind us
that the relationships
we are longing for today
can be recreated in us.

Remind us
that the motherly blessings
we yearn to receive today,
the joy,
the acceptance,
the caring,
the understanding,
the compassion,
the unconditional love,
are still ours to experience
by extending them to others.

Whether to honor the mothers
that we knew,
or to envision the mothers
that we hope for,
sharing these gifts
with others
can not only begin to heal
the missing space
in our hearts,
but,
we will find
that in sharing them
with others
we will begin
to experience them
more abundantly
in our own lives
as the gifts are returned
to us.

Inspire us all
to be the bearers
of these nurturing gifts.

May others know more
joy, acceptance, caring,
understanding, compassion,
and love
because of us.

May we play even a small part
in mending broken hearts,
broken relationships,
and this sometimes
broken world.

Amen.
 

;

Consider supporting Mark’s blogging. Help create a market for Progressive Christianity. Not through big publishers or big denominations, but through the grassroots. We need to encourage the growth of progressive Christian voices in the marketplace. Even a dollar will help.
 

Facebook continues to make it increasingly difficult for me to let you know about new blog posts like this. Please consider signing up for my mailing list where we can insure you are notified.  Just click here!

Mark is a co-founder of The Christian Left. Come and join the conversation!