💛 Mothers Hold Multitudes
And so does this day. We're making space to hold it all.
Mother’s Day can bring up complicated emotions. Whether you’re celebrating or grieving (or maybe holding space for both), here’s your reminder that even your most silent prayers are heard by a God who loves you deeply.
Whatever you’re holding, God knows.
I marvel at the way Jesus described his love like that of a mother hen, gathering her chicks beneath her wings — a vivid and comforting image of protection, tenderness, and fierce care.
Today, we honor those who celebrate and those who grieve for a bursting bouquet of reasons. And today, we honor the array of women nurturing our world in varied ways, cultivating peace through their mothering spirits. May we continue to honor all who mother by providing not just flowers one day a year but also tangible structural support, community care, and family resources to all the moms for all the days to come.
This space is for all those nurturing life in its many forms — caregivers, parents, neighbors, friends. Those finding a rhythm of faithful living, longing for an exhale, trying to care for their souls, their families, and their communities. Those who have held their breath for too long, searching for peace in a weary world.
Mother’s Day FLASH Sale!
Care for your soul as you nurture others. For the next two days, take 40% off — a perfect gift for the moms, grandmas, and caregivers who hold so much unseen.
Consider purchasing a gift subscription for yourself or a mom you know as you honor the hearts that nurture the world.
“Soft and strong, with open arms and hearts, we thank You for the array of women who are nurturing our world in all their varied ways, cultivating peace through their mothering spirits.”
Excerpt from “A Prayer for Mother’s Day” from “To Light Their Way,” a book of prayers and liturgies for parents that I wrote for parents who in the messy, holy chaos of life.
Find the whole prayer on page 164.
Prayers for all Moms
I wrote a few prayers in To Light Their Way that might specifically speak to the different angles folks view Mother’s Day from:
Single Mother (page 101)
Being Apart From Your Child (page 29)
Infertility (page 62)
Pregnancy Loss (page 64)
Grieving Mother (page 65)
Depressed Mother (page 69)
Divorced Mother (page 76)
Foster Mother (page 103)
Adoptive Mother (page 14)
Pregnant Mother (page 3)
For Daughters (page 127)
Perspectives on Motherhood
Our experiences of Mother’s Day are so varied, aren’t they? I’ve asked a few dear friends to share some of their perspectives with us:
“When Your ‘Special Day’ Feels Like Every Other Day” by Mary Van Geffen: “You are allowed to feel disappointed AND worthy simultaneously. Mother’s Day falling short doesn’t mean you’re unappreciated - it might just mean your family lacks the emotional intelligence and planning skills to execute a meaningful celebration. Dem’s the rules, folks. I call it the Low Bar Miracle of Mother’s Day: The less you expect, the more you’ll enjoy, BUT don’t confuse low expectations with believing you don’t deserve celebration. You absolutely do.”
“Mothers of All Kinds: A Spoken Word for Mother’s Day” by
: “You are the new mother, cradling your cherub in your arms, wondering if you were cut out for this constant work of changing diapers, wiping noses, buckling into car seats and grocery carts. You are the grandmother serving up spaghetti and meatballs along with Bible stories and songs to help your little saplings grow in strength and faith. You are the working mom, packing lunches and slipping into heels, whisking them off to school before the bell rings, before you start your day at the office.”“5, 7, 8” by
: “I have five. I have seven. I have eight. I have none, because they came from God and belong to God and go back to God, and I never own them even in the beautiful bittersweet between. What painful irony that life’s most precious parts are the ones we must hold loosely. The children we are given, the partners we choose, the family we love, the friends we adore. All of them will wound us and all of them will leave us eventually—or we will go first, trailing their grief in our wake. And yet such superabundance, to love within the vulnerability that we might get hurt. What a life richly lived. What a holy use of our time here.”“Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day (Take What You Need)” by
: “1. Hold space or grieve for the ways you haven’t been mothered. 2. Celebrate mothers or being mothered. 3. Choose to have a regular day instead. 4. Celebrate different types of mothering. 5. Hold space or grieve for ways you wanted to mother.”“Today is Complicated & It’s Also Straightforward” by
": To the ones who ache, and the ones who are angry: may you find safe space for release and the arms of empathy. For the mothers who struggle, the ones who hide, the ones who didn't expect things to be what they are, and the ones who don't know what to do—may you know you aren't alone. For the ones who hurt for and dream of ghost moms, birth moms, who lost moms—may you feel loved and nurtured in unexpected ways, and may no one try to dismiss your pain.”
Mother’s Day Playlist
Every week, I create a customized playlist for Year of Breath paid subscribers — a little soundtrack for your soul as you navigate the highs and lows of life.
For Mother’s Day, I curated a HUGE playlist (more than 10 hours) of songs that reflect the layered, complex, and sometimes bittersweet nature of motherhood. I won’t lie — I definitely teared up a few times while pulling this one together.
For Mother’s Day, I’m opening up this playlist to be available for everyone.
If you’re looking to get in your feels, hit shuffle and explore the multitudes of motherhood. The vibe is mostly folksy, indie, and a little pop — but there’s a bit of everything in here, so I hope you find some songs that resonate.
Pray with Your Kids
from Every Season Sacred
God, You call us Your children. You love us with a big, deep love that doesn’t give up or go away. Thank You for giving us Your Spirit to guide us. Help us to remember our love for You as we love one another. Amen.
Supporting Parents Like You
For the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of writing and editing for PBS KIDS for Parents.
I’ve had a front-row seat to the incredible work of producers, writers, and creators who are dedicated to making educational programming that truly impacts families.
I’ve interviewed the Kratt Brothers, who brought the natural world to life for countless kids, and Sonia Manzano, who played Maria on Sesame Street — a show that taught me my ABCs and 123s and showed me what it means to be a good neighbor.
I’ve seen firsthand the impact of the Ready To Learn grant, which has provided critical funding for children’s programming. But this week, that funding took a devastating hit. The Department of Education abruptly canceled the Ready To Learn grant, resulting in a $23 million loss that would have supported children’s educational shows and games. (NYT, May 6, 2025)
I grew up learning letters and numbers with Sesame Street. I explored literature with Wishbone. I found inspiration in the quiet, thoughtful conversations of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I learned science from The Magic School Bus, solved literary mysteries with Ghostwriter, and imagined great adventures with The Berenstain Bears.
Now, as a mom, I’ve watched my own kids fall in love with many of those same shows, alongside newer ones like Curious George, Sid the Science Kid, Martha Speaks, Arthur, Dinosaur Train, WordWorld, Thomas & Friends, Peg + Cat, and Odd Squad.
These shows have been more than just entertainment for our family. They helped my eldest son learn English after his international adoption. They’ve provided trusted, safe options for my children in a digital world that often feels anything but. I can pull up the PBS KIDS app when we’re on the go, knowing that the content is high-quality, age-appropriate, and thoughtfully created.
It breaks my heart to see this funding cut, knowing the long-term impact it will have on families across the country. These programs have nurtured generations of curious, compassionate kids, and they deserve our support.
If you care about public media and the role it plays in shaping young minds, I encourage you to stay informed and consider supporting your local PBS station.
Learn more about the impact of these cuts and how you can make a difference: Protect My Public Media
Recommended Reading
I wrote a couple of articles that you may have missed. May they meet you in the mess this week.
“Being a Mom is Hard: 5 Quick Breath Prayers” “As moms, we so often are told that we must take care of others before we take care of ourselves. But caring for our own souls really does matter. When I feel like I can’t muster another word or manage one more demand to cut the crusts off my son’s sandwich, I find comfort in slowing down and paying attention to my breath. Simply slowing down and breathing has become a spiritual practice for me.”
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” Songs to Manage Feelings Little ones can have big feelings. As grown-ups, we have the opportunity to guide our young children when they’re upset, helping them find ways to name feelings, manage meltdowns, and understand their sometimes overwhelming emotions. When we connect children with coping strategies, we give them an early start to a lifetime of verbalizing their feelings in healthy ways that honor themselves — and those around them!”
ICYMI
Last year, I wrote this edition of Year of Breath. I hope it speaks to you.
🧸 Mothers + Others: You are seen.
I want to say I see you to the women who are caring for the world with their mothering spirits. But the truth is, I don’t.
Year of Breath
Keep reading for our weekly care package of prayers and practices. You’ll find breath prayers for every day of the week, guided reflection questions, a phone wallpaper, a simple spiritual practice, and a benediction.
When you subscribe to Year of Breath, you are not only supporting my writing as a working mom, but you’re intentionally investing in space for you to exhale in this wild, wonderful, weary world.
Breath Prayer
Monday:
INHALE: I am here.
EXHALE: You are with me, always.
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