The Difficulty of Mother's Day

Last year was the first Mother's Day in my life where I had a desire to be a mom, was actively trying to become a mom, yet was not a mom. It was the first Mother's Day where I felt an ache for a child.

This year marks the second such Mother's Day. I still have a deep desire to be a mom, which I know comes from the Lord, but much is different this year.

• This year I know that the road to motherhood will look different for me than I once thought.
  
  
• This year my heart grieves for other women who desire to be mom's, yet aren't.
  
  
• This year I have a deeper understanding of God's plan for my life and the peace that can be found in trusting that His plan is far greater than my own.
  
  
• This Mother's Day we feel a profound call to adopt children, and I am thankful for the deep sense of direction that provides.

I have a friend who shared with me early in our struggle with infertility that it is possible to feel two emotions at one time: to rejoice with others, but still feel a longing within yourself. This is where I am this Mother's Day--rejoicing in the gift of motherhood, thankful for my mom and friends who are moms, sad that we are not yet parents, but praying that God would bless us with a child according to His perfect plan.

Jeremiah 29:11 - "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."