In the beginning, God hovered over the Earth like a mother bird preparing her nest. A baby grows within a mother’s body and then emerges with the mother’s DNA, like the mystery of Jesus’ “I in you and you in Me.” When new life arrives, mothers nourish and nurture. They remain deeply in tune with and protective of their young but also lead them through the beautiful, painful process of growth and maturity.
So it is with God. In my own spiritual journey, I’ve been recognizing the ways that I have been mothered by God. The affirmation of Imago Dei in me, not despite being a woman but because I am a woman, has healed me in places I had not recognized were hurting. Whether we give literal birth or not, we are all like God as Mother any time we give birth to, nourish, or nurture another person, a dream, an idea, or a creative endeavor. We give of ourselves for the protection and growth of the thing that is both of us and separate from us.
Joy and grief both arise out of the vulnerability of loving deeply. Motherhood is wrapped up with so many intense emotions. This day finds deep gratitude and grief sitting side by side. Whether you are joyous or grieving or both, I am rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. May you find yourself mothered by God.
Thank you to all of those who have mothered me. You have helped me become who I am and give me glimpses of who I will be.
Blessings to you all on this Mother’s Day.
Lindsay L. O'Connor 
Leave a Reply