Most of my life I have thought about my own wonderful mom and my two amazing grandmothers on Mother’s Day. As I got older I dreamed of the day I could celebrate it as a mother myself, and after I got married I always thought about how much I appreciated my beautiful mother-in-law on Mother’s Day. Then last year, my world was turned upside down and motherhood was forever tainted with the deepest pain and loss of my life. Last year on Mother’s Day I ached for my baby girl and for all the women who were mothers living on earth without their babies (and I still ache just as much now.) I also thought about all the women who wanted so badly to be mothers and were never given that gift. I’m still thinking about all of those women this Mother’s Day, of course, including my mother, mother-in-law and grandmothers, but there is one woman who has captured my heart especially this year:

OUR BABY’S BIRTH MOTHER

Even though I haven’t met her yet, my heart beats for this woman today and I have been praying for her so much lately. I wonder if she is even pregnant yet with the baby that will change her world and will complete ours? This woman is my hero. She embodies the very essence of motherhood — a willingness to sacrifice in order to give her baby the best life. Isn’t that what motherhood is about? Giving yourself and everything you have, being willing to lay down your life for this little human.

Can you imagine carrying your child inside you, feeling her sweet kicks, knowing that your baby will call someone else “Mommy” one day? This woman is strong, brave, courageous, determined to give her baby LIFE. She has to live with ridiculous stereotypes and seething questions asking her why she “gave up her baby.” She did not give up her baby. She did NOT give up on her baby. She believes in her baby and she believes God has a plan for her baby. She sees ahead and makes the hardest decision of her life with the wisdom of a mother who loves her baby unconditionally.

This birth mom has so many hard decisions ahead of her. Will you pray for her today? Here are the things I would love for you all to pray for our birth mom:

• That she feels God’s love for her and her baby, and feels His protection over them both.
• For a safe pregnancy and birth, and courage to face the fears that come with childbirth.
• That she knows without any question that we are the right family to raise her child, and that she feels secure in her decision.
• For her heart to be protected through all of this, and for God to heal her and fill her with hope and peace.

And we have been praying this verse over her specifically. Would you do the same?

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.