~By Sharon Czerwien
As I was beginning to reflect on this Mother's Day weekend, the idea of 'generations' came to mind. (Heads-up, this post is not nearly as 'light-hearted' as last year's post!)
This weekend we celebrate the generational women in our lives. Yet for many, the celebration may come with pain or sadness.
Before I really dive in, I wanted to mention the following. Whether you are a mother or not, you are absolutely an integral part of your family tree. Life would not be the same without you.
Mother's Day 2022
As I write this, I recognize that this is a different Mother's Day weekend for my dad and his mom. My frail and aging grandma is nearing the end of her beloved life. She has added great value and pleasure to our family, though.
WHAT STAGE FOR YOU??
In what generational stage do you find yourself?
· Are you the aging grandma that must accept help from your adult children whom you remember once rocking to sleep when they were babies?
· Are you the middle-aged caretaker of aging parents and are overwhelmed by your responsibility at times?
· Are you the 'almost-close-enough-to-being-an-adult' child who is still understandably reliant on your parents?
· Are you the young mom who is tired and worn?
· Are you the mom who worries about your adult children running in the wrong direction?
· Are you an adult child who is grateful for your relationship with your parents?
· Are you _______(fill in the blank)??
Perhaps you have been in one or many of those categories over your lifetime.
Generational Categories and Influence
I guess you can call the above generational categories.
No matter your generational category, you can have influence. Consider New Testament Timothy. His grandmother and mother (Lois and Eunice) influenced Timothy in regards to all-things faith. Timothy was then known for his genuine faith (see 2 Timothy 1:5). That's THREE generational categories!
No matter in what stage you find yourself, though, life can be hard. Yes, at times life can be super, duper hard!
For some, Mother's Day can be either a tender or heart-wrenching holiday.
There are certain Bible passages I cannot help but make as my personal go-to verses for a variety of circumstances. One such passage is Philippians 4.
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13, NKJV).
I would love to encourage someone out there today with this Bible passage.
Please know that I am *not, not, not* trying to spray a water hose on someone's contentment levels! (Not in the least!)
These verses are from the Apostle Paul to help encourage us regarding from where our hope for endurance comes.
I desire to encourage someone to know that God can strengthen you. God can help you endure the difficult parts of your generational stage.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! To those who aren't, your role in your family is just as valued!
Love,
Sharon
Indeed!