Pastor's Corner: Nevertheless, she persisted

I want to start off this week by acknowledging the tension of these parenting holidays. For some, it is a joyous occasion of celebrating our loving mothers who have selflessly devoted themselves to their children throughout the years; it is also an occasion to be celebrated by your own children. But for others, this day accentuates the pain of broken families, the struggle with infertility, the loneliness of being single, grief of a child or a mother. You might even be caught on both sides of this tension within yourself. Wherever you find yourself, this message of hope is for you too.

As we continue in the Easter season, we celebrate with hallelujahs the glorious resurrection of our risen Lord, but we also don’t forget the grief that we felt during Holy Week as Jesus was marched to the cross. Caught right in the middle of that sorrow was Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She had a front row seat as they unjustly crucified her son, and she could not protect him. As any mother would, she had dreams and hopes for her son’s future; she encouraged him and supported him through trials and doubts. This isn’t how she pictured it. As any mother would, she cared for her son, cleaning his wounds, taking care of him when he was sick. This doesn’t make sense. She is not supposed to bury her son — especially not one so blessed, so innocent, so hers.

But, of course, the story does not end there. Easter morning, the women go to the tomb and are the first to witness the resurrection! Their care and their compassion and their empathy lands them the prime spot to bear witness to the greatest event in history — the tomb is empty! And the Angel tells them, “do not be afraid” (Mt. 28:5).

For too long as women, we have been told to hide ourselves, to silence our voices. Women have been conditioned to be submissive, to hold back, to make ourselves small. We have put up with treatment that is unacceptable and turned the other cheek. But, sisters in Christ, now is our time! Heed the words of the Psalmist, “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day” (Ps. 46:5).

As women, we need to build each other up instead of tearing one another down. We need to speak words of compassion and kindness instead of gossiping about one another. We need to be that voice of hope when our kids fail, when our spouses fail, when we fail. We need to encourage one another when the world tells us to be guilty and ashamed. We need to use our voices to stand up to injustice and be the voice for those who have been silenced. And most of all, we need to love ourselves. I myself know too well the negative self-talk that cycles through my head of “you are not enough,” and when voicing it aloud one day, my wise friend said to me, “stop beating up my friend.” If we would not say it to others, don’t say it to yourself either.

May we be the person that our sisters can call and say, “I am having a bad day.” May we be the sanctuary for the women who have experienced violence and assault. May we be the respite for the mother who just needs a break from her children for a few hours. May we be the voice that says to the struggling parent, “you are doing just fine.” May our arms be open to share that hug, smile, and love to the person who has not been embraced. May we be both gentle and fierce, both strong and humble, both kind and true.

So today we celebrate the mother-figures who have been kind and loving to us. I am thankful for the women of faith who have gone before me and fought for my right to stand in the pulpit each Sunday and proclaim the Good News — God is in the struggle and it’s okay to feel heartbroken, but it’s also okay to be of great joy. Despite what the world tells you, in Christ, you are loved and you are enough! And you are doing just fine.

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The Rev. Maggie Lewis

First Presbyterian Church, Havre

Chinook Presbyterian Church