Joe and Becky's Adoption Story

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms — expectant moms, birth moms, foster moms, adoptive moms, stepmoms, grandmas, moms of babies in heaven, aunts, pet moms, and every woman who has loved, nurtured, or cared for another.

Mother’s Day can be emotionally complex: while many celebrate, some grieve the loss of a mother figure, others mourn children, sickness, or lost opportunities, and many feel a mix of joy, sadness, anger, gratitude, and blessings. All are valid and it’s okay to feel one or all of these at the same time.

Many times, in my own journey God has asked me, “What are you doing in the waiting?” When I listen, He leads me to unexpected places where I can show love and also be loved. This past year I’ve met many women, children, and families of all shapes and sizes volunteering at our local pregnancy resource center and at church. I’ve been delighted by the joy and spunk of kids in our church’s midweek program, and I’ve helped create a space where our young adults can grow in faith and build community. I share these things not for recognition but as examples of how God works in our lives even among the hills and valleys — He can use it all for good. He doesn’t promise us it will all be easy, but He does promise us he will walk it with us.

These experiences have made me more understanding and empathetic. Everyone has their own journey, and we never know how we might impact someone’s day. My heart has grown as I am loved and I show love to all the families, children, and young adults in my life — each uniquely made in God’s image and on their own journey. I pray for them on my good days, on the hard days, every day. We don’t always see how prayers are answered, but I trust God’s timing and His plan, even when I don’t understand.

If Mother’s Day is difficult for you, like it sometimes is for me, please try to remember the love you share with those around you and the love God has for you!

Dear Lord, Thank You for the gift of mothers and for every heart that has nurtured, protected, and loved. Be with my mother, expectant mothers, birth mothers, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, aunts, those who have lost children, those who grieve the loss of a mother, and those whose mothering is quiet or unseen. Bring comfort to the brokenhearted, healing to wounded relationships, courage to the weary, and joy to those who celebrate. Fill us with Your peace, strengthen us with Your hope, and teach us to love one another as You have loved us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 34:18-19 (NIV) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.