Praise the Lord Heritage Family!
Every Mother’s Day triggers a heaviness for me. I am usually somewhere comparing my childhood to the experience of my three children growing up in today's world. I had an amazing childhood. It was full of adventure, love, culture, music, and family. I remember going to my grandmother's after school, sitting with her, and watching The Joy of Painting. On Saturday mornings, we'd walk through city-streets rushing to choir rehearsal and then sit for hours watching women with
doilies
worshiping. I remember going to the movies with my mother
—
which is why I am a film buff to this day. My childhood was full of guided moments, including playing double-dutch, traveling, robust summer camps, theater, and going to school no matter how much snow was on the ground. I often pray that
our children
remember their childhoods fondly, as well as the intentionality with which I wholeheartedly pour into them. I intentionally pour who I am unconditionally into them for their wholeness and survival.
I realize now, as a mother, that just as those memories are sacred to me, my mom considered her responsibility as my mom to be sacred too. This year's
Mother’s Day panel (
watch now
)
provided our church family time to eavesdrop on a conversation amongst women who described their sacred roles as mothers both biologically and through love. Motherhood is sacred. It embodies all that we do selflessly, unconditionally, and intentionally. It is sacred whether a first-time mother or a mother of multiples. It is sacred whether oocyte cryopreservation
(freezing eggs)
or going through fertility treatments. It is sacred whether you've been through a miscarriage or lost a child later in life. It is sacred whether you have never conceived or decided to adopt. It is sacred if you have a mother's heart that has extended your spirit towards a child of God. We all have imprints from the heart of someone who poured into us all they had to offer. Let us remember in these times
how to
honor God by pouring what we have as a true love offering unto God.
Additionally, I humbly thank Sis. Liz, Sis. Janelle, Sis. Sabrina, Sis. Martina, and
Sis. Demetrius
for sharing with us their stories. Thank you for helping us grow in Christ, togetHER!
In Grace and Gratitude,
Pastor and First Lady Sullivan
