Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Reflection: Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day, a day to give thanks for mothers, grandmothers, aunts, mentors, and every woman who nurtures, guides, and loves with the heart of God. Whether they are biological mothers or women who’ve nurtured others in different ways, we honor their faithfulness and love.But besides the people who’ve blessed us, today is also a moment to lift our eyes to God in gratitude. Over these past weeks, we’ve been learning how to grow a heart of gratitude. We’ve thanked God for His grace and the undeserved gift of salvation.We’ve rejoiced in the resurrection and the transformation it brings to our lives. We’ve learned to give thanks even in hardship, trusting God’s presence and purpose.We’ve talked about the presence of Jesus with us, no matter what we face in life.Each week has reminded us that gratitude isn’t just a response to Gods blessings it’s a posture of the heart that draws us closer to God.
Today, we continue this gratitude journey by reflecting on God’s faithfulness in the unexpected. Life rarely goes according to plan. Many of us carry dreams that haven’t come true, grief we didn’t plan on, or circumstances we never imagined. And yet, even in the twists and turns, God is present.As we get ready to celebrate Mother Day I found led to reflect on women of The Bible
- Sarah waited decades for a child and laughed when she overheard the angel say she would have a baby Genesis 18:12
- Hannah wept year after year at the temple until God answered her prayer in an unexpected way 1 Samuel 1:10-20Jochebed placed baby
- Moses in a basket on the Nile, trusting God’s protection without knowing what would happen Exodus 2:1-10
None of these women planned things to happen the way they did. And yet, God was at work in every moment. Gratitude doesn’t always come from a place of everything going right. It comes from knowing God’s hand is steady even when ours is shaking.Proverbs 3:5-6 invites us to trust, even when we don’t understand
Lord, I don’t understand this season, but I trust You’re leading me through it.
Whether you’re a mother raising children, a grandmother praying over family, a woman waiting for motherhood, or a nurturer of others in unexpected ways, God sees you. God honors your faithfulness. God is with you in the unexpected.
Sometimes the greatest blessings come in ways we never imagined. And sometimes, gratitude grows deepest in seasons of waiting, loss, or change. We learn to give thanks not only when prayers are answered, but when someone walks alongside us when we feel alone. Or when we get a word of encouragement at just the right time. We should be grateful when we get strength when we felt like quitting. Friends God provides in quiet, hidden ways we didn’t notice at first.
Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard times, but it does help us see Him in the unexpected.
Today, we celebrate mothers but we should also expand our understanding of mothering. It’s found in the teacher who pours into students, the friend who shows up when chaos happens. It’s in the neighbor who makes a lonely child feel seen and the spiritual mentor who prays over the next generation.
No matter your role or title, God uses women to nurture, protect, teach, and lead in ways that reflect His heart. You may have dreamed of one path and been given another but your faithfulness matters. And there’s reason to be grateful for the love and influence you share.
Prayer: Lord, today I thank You, for what I didn’t plan, for the detours I didn’t want, for the blessings I didn’t expect and for the strength I didn’t know I had.
Thank You for mothers and spiritual mothers. Thank You for those who nurtured me in unexpected ways. Thank You for Your steady presence through every twist and turn. Help me lean not on my own understanding but trust You with all my heart. Amen.