If You Feel Invisible on Mother’s Day

This is for the women who feel invisible on Mother’s Day.

For the women starting to understand the role of “wife and mother” may never be theirs…

For the women realizing the possibility of conceiving and giving birth might be reaching “only with a miracle” levels…

For the women grieving little lives lost before they began…

For the women learning the pain of mourning at a child’s grave…

For the women drowning in the aftermath of choosing to end a pregnancy…

For all the women who might sit in church on Mother’s Day as the pastor asks the mothers to stand, who might keep their heads bowed to hide the tears, who might wonder what it means to be a woman who isn’t a mother…

I want you to know you are not invisible. Though it might feel otherwise, the truth is you are seen. I see you as I struggle with my own longing to know the joys of motherhood. I see you in the stories of so many women I know who face Mother’s Day with a myriad of emotions because of their circumstances. I think of you, too, as I whisper their names in prayer, asking God to be near as the day approaches. I may not know your story or your name, but I’m making an effort to see you.

More importantly, God sees you and knows everything you’re feeling. The Bible tells us he is “close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18 NLT) and “he heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 NLT). He sees every tear as he grieves with you. He understands your fear, your hopelessness, your disappointment. He can handle your anger. He will continue to prove his goodness and faithfulness for as long as you doubt him. No matter how it might feel, God is not distant and you are not alone or invisible.

I pray you would know this truth as Mother’s Day draws near. Regardless of your circumstances, you are wrapped in a love whose height and width and depth and length we may never fully comprehend (Ephesians 3:18). Nothing you do could ever push you outside its borders. God will never remove it from you.

And because you are loved by the God of the universe, you have infinite value that cannot be diminished for any reason. Let the weight of that settle in your heart. May it be a shield against the lies whispered by the Enemy, lies saying you are worthless because you don’t have children. Rest in the truth of your intrinsic worth as a daughter of God.

Perhaps, as you hold on to God’s love and your worth, you will find grace and strength to let yourself be seen. I pray there will be people in your life with whom you can share your pain and your grief and your uncertainty. I hope you can be honest with them about how they can care for you. May they help keep you from feeling invisible this Mother’s Day.

Katie Mumper is a daughter, sister, friend, writer, and singer. She loves Jesus, music, books, and great TV shows. Because she’s far from perfect, she is grateful for God’s grace in her life. She writes with the hope that others might be encouraged to let God make them new as well. You can read more of her work at beautyrestored.me.

Photograph © Janko Ferlic, used with permission