Mother’s Day isn’t a joyous season for everyone. After suffering a loss this year, I’m reminded of the intense experience of mother’s day grief. Whether that grief be in a child who lost their mother, a mother who lost her child, you are not alone. And you don’t have to go through this season alone.
Here are 3 things I’m doing to cope with grief on Mother’s Day. I pray you’re able to find solace in them too.
Surrender the Day to God
There’s a suffering that words can’t reach, but there is none that the Holy Spirit can’t touch. Instead of finding a lifeline through a trusted friend’s or supportive relative’s words, try finding it in God’s Word first. Here are some bible verses about loss that I’m finding comfort in this season.
Comforting Bible Verses About Loss
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” -Psalm 34:18
God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.” -Luke 6:21
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” -Psalm 73:26
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.” -1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” -1 Peter 5:10
Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!” -Luke 12:24
Celebrate Yourself
In research for this article, I came across a personal essay on Modern Language written by Kate Spencer detailing how she’s approaching her grief during Mother’s Day after losing her mom. Her exact quote, “I’ve spent years being pissed off and wallowing on this Hallmark holiday, missing my dead mom. This year, though, I’m making it my own.”
How is she doing this exactly?
She asks herself, “WWYMWYTDOMD?”
Or what would your mom want you to do on Mother’s Day?
Would she want you to neglect your mental or physical health? Stay in bed with the lights off and sob until a migraine inevitably forces you to stop? Or, as Spencer puts it, celebrate yourself for “being one of the best things she ever did.”
Hint…it’s the latter. Treat yourself with a mani pedi, good food, refreshing company and an engaging Netflix show.
Ignore the Day…But With a Plan
If your grief on Mother’s Day is too intense, you don’t have to celebrate it. Steer clear of social media and email, turn your phone on Do Not Disturb and try to go about your Sunday as per usual. Either that or cope with your grief on a beach far away from any family or friends that may remind you of the one you lost. Either one is perfectly fine.
Bottom line, you deserve to be okay this Mother’s Day. I pray God’s comfort and peace fall on you during this season.
