Today I was woken with singing and breakfast in bed -from all my children, even if one was via a phone on the breakfast tray. I know I am so fortunate to experience this on mother’s day, when so many are feeling the gaps so much more markedly. Motherhood is not something everyone chooses, and it is also something not always able to be chosen. It is a messy thing in so many ways. However, amidst the messy, we all do have mothers and we all do have people who have been as mothers to us. Today is an opportunity to reflect on all of this. In our powerpoint reflection in today’s worship I shared a reflection I wrote way back in 2009, and now over a decade later, I still think it is worth sitting with. It begins (at 17:42) with the words - “Whether you are a mum… or whether you simply have a mum… or a step-mum… or a mother-in-law… or a mother figure… whether your mum is close to you… or far away… close as a best mate… or seperated by miles… or death… or broken relationship… Today is Mother’s Day and offers you the gift of time to reflect on motherhood and all it means…” It continues to reflect on some of the realities we experience -for good or bad, and concludes with the affirmation that ultimately, amidst all our imperfections, God .offers us perfect love. As a mum I realise that even with the best of intentions we can get things wrong, and what we want most is for our children to know that we love them more than they may ever comprehend.

To my mum, I love you and I honour you -you have been such a remarkable role model -not perfect, but someone who has taught me to love, taught me that mistakes can be unpicked and that life is to be lived to the full. I am forever grateful.