God’s Gift of Mothering

Sunday 15th March 2026 is designated in the U.K. as a time to celebrate and thank all those who have nurtured us and through whom we have been enriched through God’s gift of mothering. For some of us these will be spiritual mothers rather than natural, or care-givers in a different context such as a community, foster or adoptive home, or single parent fathers. 

For many it is a day of joy and celebration. But it is important also to acknowledge that losses and separation can feel harder to bear on this day, especially if we are isolated from community. Particularly in Home Churches, we look for ways to come alongside and support, not only each other, but also the people around us in our neighbourhood or work context. Psalm 68 contains the verse, God places the lonely in families. As humankind we were created to live in close fellowship and friendship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and with each other. What an important gift it is to be able to listen tenderly, as Jesus did, and to share the acceptance of a loving community with those who have experienced much painful separation.

In All Nations we pray that the love of Jesus will continually knit our hearts together as family - and that we will actively serve our local neighbourhoods as we let his love overflow beyond ourselves. We seek to make disciples through sharing our lives and gathering around Jesus together. To pray and to do our part towards fulfilling the Great Commission as Jesus builds his church of every people, language and nation, where God himself will come and dwell, Revelation 21.3-4,  I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.” 

Mothering Sunday is a wonderful time for us all to express love and appreciation for those who have mothered us during our lives, who have nurtured us and from who we have received tenderness and unconditional love, enabling us to thrive. John’s gospel highlights Jesus’ tenderness towards his mother even as he endured the cross: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. John 19.25-6.

Let us thank God today for the people who have enriched us through God’s gift of mothering - and let’s go out of our way today also to thank people in person! 

 - Catherine Horton