Divine revelation takes many forms; the wonder of a sunrise, the majesty of a mountain, the tranquility of a bubbling stream, the awesomeness of the sea’s endless horizon. Each of us has experienced a mystical moment when we were overwhelmed by the nearness of God.

Time and again mothers have spoken to me of the divine intimacy of carrying and birthing a baby. What an incredible experience, co-creating a child, carrying within you, beneath your heart, a new person, another human being.

But motherhood is more than having a baby. Motherhood is the ultimate giving of self. Not just during the time of pregnancy, but the commitment to nurture a child to adulthood. In a very real sense, every mother offers up her life for her child. This is equally true for those who adopt a child. The reward, of course, is the joy of motherhood. There are tears too, but they are erased by the satisfaction of seeing your child grow into adulthood.

The unconditional love of a mother for her child is a reflection of God’s unconditional love for each of us. It is a love that hopes, and heals and forgives. Just as a mother sees God in her child, we all see God in the selfless love of our mother.

God Bless our mothers.