“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 (NLT)
Little did I know how hard my first Mother’s Day would be.
I’d dreamed of that first holiday, anticipating the joy and celebration. When I learned I was pregnant, my husband and I were ecstatic. We excitedly told a few close friends and all our extended family.
Several weeks later, I sadly discovered I was having a miscarriage.
That Mother’s Day was anything but joyful.
My friend Deb knew firsthand the pain of loss. She understood I’d want to weep and called me that morning. Deb left a heartfelt message sharing a short scripture and a prayer reminding me of God’s goodness — which was exactly what my soul craved that day.
Deb stepped into my heartache and lived out God's Word in Romans 12:15: “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”
That wasn’t my only challenging Mother’s Day. Nearly 10 years later, in April, my husband and I unexpectedly lost my beloved mother-in-law. Our grief was palpable and raw.
Thankfully, again, dear friends brought wise words of comfort, and gradually the acute pain of initial grief morphed into the dull ache of loss.
Perhaps you, too, have known deep sorrow surrounding Mother’s Day. Maybe you long to have children, but that door hasn’t opened. Maybe you’ve lost a child or a mother, or you've lost the spouse you thought would always be there to help you parent well. I wish we could connect face-to-face and I could simply offer a hug to let you know you’re not alone.
For many, Mother’s Day is a joyful celebration with spectacular reasons to rejoice and “be happy with those who are happy” (Romans 12:15). Yet I know from experience how difficult that can be for those of us who want to weep. Here are a few things that help me cope:
Looking to God’s Word to find comfort. I’ve often grabbed my Bible and a journal to process my hurt, reminding myself that even Jesus has endured deep grief (John 11:35, Isaiah 53:3). Reading psalms of lament, like Psalm 10, also helps me regain perspective.
Nurturing my own soul on Mother’s Day. Some years, that means doing something special (even if it’s small) to feel celebrated, making time with my closest friends around Mother’s Day, or discussing with my husband my expectations for the day. Each new season brings different opportunities to creatively guard my heart.
Comforting others the same way I’ve been comforted. I try to remember other friends who may be grieving on Mother’s Day. Whether I know someone who has lost a child or her own mama, I’ve tried to send encouragement through a prayerful phone call, an uplifting text, or a sincere note.
This weekend, let’s strengthen one another by offering hope even when it feels far away.
Lord, thank You that I can turn to You always, whether I’m happy or hurting. Fill me with Your peace and presence, and help me bring comfort to others in the way You’ve comforted me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to feel like you’re the one responsible for holding everything together. But the Gospel of Mark tells a different story. Again and again, we see Jesus met people when their faith felt weak, their circumstances felt impossible, and their hope felt fragile. He stepped into storms and spoke peace into chaos, reminding us that our faith doesn’t have to be perfect for Him to move powerfully in our lives. That’s the heart behind our upcoming First 5 study, Mark: Trusting King Jesus as the One Who Sees You, Saves You, and Never Lets Go. Through this study, you’ll encounter the Savior who meets people in their uncertainty and invites them to trust Him with what they cannot control. If you’d like to follow along with us and explore the Scriptures more deeply, you can also get the Mark study guide now in the Proverbs 31 Bookstore. These expanded teachings and guided reflections will help you experience the Gospel of Mark in a fresh way.
Connect with Proverbs 31 Ministries on Instagram for more everyday biblical encouragement.
2 Corinthians 1:3b-4, “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (NLT).
1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (NIV).
How have you been encouraged by a sister in Christ in the past? How might you encourage someone who’s facing sorrow this Mother’s Day (or another holiday)? Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Stephanie Raquel. All rights reserved.
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