Tissues for Mothers Day

Mothers day is a day that brings either great joy or great sadness to different people. We attempted to recognize this at church this morning by handing out tissues in pretty packets to all of the ladies.

Tissues are helpful when we cry and of course tears can be tears of happiness or sadness.

My wife Tracey talked about how all women have the opportunity to ‘mother’ others by caring for them. She went on to say how she has appreciated the way that others in the church have ‘mothered’ and cared for her since we moved here. She then read this poem that she had written for today:

We all portray an image, one that helps us to be strong,
We brush our hair and find a smile to wear as we walk along.
Afraid to stop and linger in case this image fades,
Afraid that we’re a failure in oh so many ways.

The tears fall so easily in the confines of our homes,
But tears were never meant to be a secret shared alone.
Our hearts break over many things and sadness crashes in,
Alone we may not always have the strength we need to swim.

But together with another whose love for us is real,
We have a brighter hope and strength as we share all that we feel.
Another can speak the words we need or quietly give a hug
Another can lift us from ourselves and point to God above.

So let’s support each other through the tears of joy and pain.
Sister to sister, hand in hand let’s start this walk again.
Accept our vulnerability, embrace each others pain
Choose honesty over comfort, think what we have to gain.

So here’s a pack of tissues for when those tears arise.
Don’t be alone, please find a friend to help you dry your eyes.

The tissues were handed out and we and sang ‘Love each other’ (see YouTube clip below).

We then paused for some quiet for people to consider how we could care for and encourage one another and this was followed by several minutes where people could go and bless or encourage someone else. (Think, ‘the Peace’ from an Anglican church only more chaotic).

So, how will we encourage and care for those around us?