May 9, 2024

Dear Central Church,

This Sunday, our culture will pause to celebrate and honor mothers! It's an entire day devoted to showing appreciation to moms, but I like to think of it as a time to recognize the women who have had a spiritual influence in my life. In fact, one day a year may not be enough to fully honor them. They deserve a party all year long! However, most ladies I know will gladly accept a 24-hour celebration realizing that the responsibilities of a year-long party would inevitably fall to them. 

I’m blessed to have a godly mother who modeled the faith for me, and I thank God everyday for a godly wife who daily lives out for my boys what it means to follow Jesus. I can’t read the book of Proverbs without thinking of them:

Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all.  (Proverbs 31:28-29) 

One of the things I love about the Church is that a vast spectrum of the human experience is present every Sunday, especially on Mother’s Day. This Sunday at Central there will be first-time moms, people experiencing their first Mother’s Day without their mom, moms who have lost a child, women experiencing the pain of miscarriage or infertility, those who grew up without a mom, and joy-filled grandmothers who are worshiping with all their children and grandchildren. 

Our culture only tells one side of the Mother’s Day story as if this is a “one size fits all” holiday. The Church must reject a “one size fits all” approach to our life together almost as vehemently as women reject a “one size fits all” approach to fashion. What makes us unique is what makes us beautiful. 

Wherever you are this Mother’s Day weekend, I hope you know that your unique story with all its triumphs and tragedies is welcome here. We believe, “You belong here.” God has something to say to those who are feeling blue this Mother’s Day as well as those who are on top of the world. 

Have a great weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday for worship! 

Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark