Tessa, Kay, and Maura exited the church after their Wednesday evening Bible study. The temperature had dropped since the sunny afternoon, but the air was still warm. “I can’t get over how lovely the weather has been this week,” Tessa said, as she inhaled a deep breath.

“I’m so glad,” Kay said. “I was tired of all that rain.” She moved toward her car. “I’ll see you ladies on Sunday.”

“Not me,” Tessa said. “I hate coming to church on Mother’s Day.”

Maura stopped in her tracks. “Really? Me too. I thought I was the only one.”

Tessa shook her head. “It’s too sad. All those people honoring their mothers. What about those of us who had a terrible mother? My mom never cared about us. She was drunk all the time.”

Maura laid a hand on Tessa’s arm. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what that must have been like.”

“I haven’t seen her in 15 years. Still, I see no reason to celebrate her.” Tessa frowned. “You’ve never said you had a problem with your mother. Why don’t you want to be here?”

Maura dropped her hand. “I’ve been struggling to conceive for the past two years. I’d give anything to be a mother. It’s too painful to be here and see all the other women honored. When they ask all the mothers to stand up, it’s like rubbing salt in the wound. People don’t understand how hard it is to ache for a child.”

Kay moved closer to the two women. “I’m sorry for both of you. To be honest, I was considering staying home as well. While I’ve been blessed with children and I had a loving mother, I lost her last year, and the grief is still fresh. I’m not sure I can make it through the service without breaking down.”

Kay reached out her arms, and Tessa and Maura moved in for a three-way hug.

Tessa swallowed hard. “I’m so glad to have you ladies in my life. Maybe we should all spend Sunday together.”

Maura brightened. “That would be wonderful. Why don’t you come over to my place? We’ll order takeout and find something to do that has nothing to do with Mother’s Day.”

Kay grinned. “That sounds perfect. Thank you!”

Tessa said goodbye to Kay and Maura and drove home in silence, the conversation replaying through her mind. Maybe this was a bigger problem than she realized. All this time, she thought she was the only one who struggled with this day. By the time she got home, an idea had formed. She called Kay and Tessa and shared her idea. By Friday night she had agreement from the church, and the plan was in motion.

When Mother’s Day rolled around, Tessa, Kay and Maura all went to church. The pastor, after speaking with Tessa Thursday night, acknowledged his role in their difficulty with the holiday.

The pastor greeted the congregation. “I’d like to wish the mothers here today a happy Mothers’ Day. But I’d also like to let you know I understand this is a difficult day for many. Anyone here who finds this day to be challenging, either because they are unable to be a mother, because they’ve lost their mother, or have a problematic relationship with their mother, is welcome to gather in Fellowship Hall after the service. We’ll have refreshments and fellowship for you.”

Kay, Maura, and Tessa all slipped out of the sanctuary before the service ended to finish the final setup. They pulled the flavored cream cheeses and bowls of fruit out of the fridge, uncovered all the bagel baskets, then stood back and waited for others to arrive.

Five minutes later, nearly twenty people gathered around the tables in Fellowship Hall, chatting and enjoying their brunch. Some joined Tessa at the table for those who had difficult relationships with their mothers, others joined Kay at the table for those who were grieving their mothers, and a few younger couples joined Maura and her husband at the table for those who were trying to conceive.

Tessa stood up in front of the small crowd. “Thank you all for being here. It helps me so much to learn I’m not alone today. I hope you’ve all been able to minister to one another just by the nature of your common trials. I grew up with an alcoholic mother. I’ve forgiven her, but to this day, we’re still not close. I always envied my friends and their relationships with their mothers. But I’ve decided not to let this day bother me any longer. Today, I’m going to celebrate a woman in my life who has been a blessing to me.” She moved over to Kay’s table and put a hand on her shoulder. “I met Kay years ago, and she’s always taken an interest in me. She and her husband Carl mentored us when we were newlyweds. We’ve been in Bible studies together, and we’ve shared prayer requests together. So even though God didn’t give me a wonderful biological mother, I’m grateful for the relationship he’s given me through Kay.”

Kay rose from her chair, and Tessa wrapped her in a hug. Tessa turned back to the other people gathered around the tables. “We’re all missing something this Mother’s Day. But I bet if you all think about your life, you can identify a woman who has made a difference in your life. And for that, this Mothers’ Day, we can all be grateful.”

Proverbs 31:10: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

God, not all our lives read like a greeting card. We are grateful, on this Mothers’ Day, for the women who have made a difference in our lives. Thank you for the blessings of those women. Please help us be people who bless others. In Jesus’ name, Amen