“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” – Unknown

I never imagined I would be at a point in my life where I would be writing about this very topic. Lord, why would you allow me to bear this cross? I love the Lord deeply, and I want to be found faithful in every area of my life, embracing His will with open arms. However, this particular trial was going to test my spiritual metal and challenge the very foundations of my faith. It feels as though I am standing on the edge of uncertainty, grappling with emotions that threaten to overwhelm me. I must admit, I allowed myself to be overwhelmed by those emotions. Yet I cling to the promises I’ve learned in my 45 years of salvation. In these moments, I seek the strength to endure and the wisdom to grow, trusting that even in the darkest valleys, there is a purpose to the pain and a light that leads me forward.

I have so many friends who have the honor of being mothers, and yes, it is an honor! At least a dozen of them are mothers struggling with broken hearts. I am also one of these mothers, and I am intimately aware of the silent battles that so many of us face. If you are a mother who doesn’t have a broken heart over her children, consider yourself blessed! It’s a painful reality that many do not see; often, we put on brave faces, telling ourselves that we must stay strong for the rest of our family. I have to admit that as a born-again Christian mother, this trial, which the Lord has so lovingly allowed me to experience, is my most difficult trial. I find myself questioning the ways in which faith and suffering intersect, seeking comfort in Scriptures that speak of hope, restoration, and reconciliation. Why would a loving God allow me to suffer a pain so deep that it has taken me months to recover? I struggled to reconcile my faith with my heartbreak on this journey. It is one that forces me to seek understanding and strength even in the darkest moments.

In this “shaky” balance, I cling to hope while pleading for complete healing, knowing that there are lessons woven within my sorrow, shaping not only my journey but also the way I can support other mothers who walk this painful path. I’ve discovered there are mothers out there going through the same thing I am, and this realization brings me both comfort and a sense of responsibility. I cannot be the only one that needs “Jesus with skin on”! I’ve learned that there are other women experiencing the greatest trial of their lives. The Lord impressed upon my heart to write this series because I encountered so many different scenarios my friends were experiencing who deal with a mother’s heart being broken, scenarios that mirror my own struggles, fears, and dreams. Each story is unique, yet they encompass the common theme of loss and resilience. I imagine it as creating a tapestry of shared experiences that highlight the strength we can draw from one another. As we journey through this together, I hope to not only share my own story but also to foster a sense of community and healing, encouraging others to understand their pain, to find solace in one another’s journey, and to discover that we are never truly alone in our trials.

Here you will find a compilation of the various ways our children can shatter our mothers’ heart, as their words and actions sometimes pierce more deeply than we could ever anticipate. If you are one of those mothers searching for a ray of hope that the Lord will heal this mess in your life, I pray you find it in this series of reflections and shared experiences. This series is most certainly not exhaustive in the numerous ways our children can pierce the very marrow of our being, but rather a heartfelt exploration of the emotions we encounter on this profound journey. These are simply the ones that were shared with me, stories woven together by countless mothers who have walked similar paths. My desire is to help you get through this challenging time. As mothers, we are in this together, united by our struggles and triumphs.

The fabric of motherhood is a beautiful design of blessings, and yes, disappointments, interlaced with moments of joy that remind us of the deep-rooted love we hold. Join me on this journey of understanding and healing, and let’s support each other as we navigate the intricate tapestry of motherhood together!

Let me close this introduction with Paul’s beautiful exhortation:

Romans 12:12-15 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;  (13)  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.  (14)  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.  (15)  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  

Day 1 – Children Who Abandon Without a Word	Day 2 – Oh The Lies!	Day 3 – Turned Hearts	Day 4 – Death of a Child
Day 5 – A Child Who Strays	Day 6 – Strained Relationships	Day 7 – The Blame Game	Day 8 – Living Grief
Day 9 – Bitterness	Day 10 – Peer Pressure	Day 11 – Stand in the Gap	Day 12 – Two-Fold Homes
Day 13 – Deep Sin	Day 14 – What About the Siblings?	Day 15 – Healing	The End