Post Published on June 18, 2013.
Last Updated on April 29, 2016 by davemackey.
So, this past Mother’s Day, Cassandra Frost (I say this humorously) decided to throw my world upside down by sending me a link to this blog post from The Messy Middle: “An Open Letter to Pastors {A Non-Mom Speaks About Mother’s Day}.” I then proceeded to read up on the subject – and if anyone else is interested in understanding the controversy (within and without Christian circles), here are the articles I came across…Bolded ones I found particularly interesting…
Now all those pastors like me can begin reading for next year. BTW, I’m not sure I’ve come to a good conclusion on this. Maybe I can just ban all non-church holidays and my life will be easier? =) I know, that would be too easy…Hmmm…

- Jennifer Chandler. “Campaigning for Non-Mother’s Day.” TimeFinders Magazine.
- Jennifer Richardson. “Mother’s Day for Non-Mothers: A Childfree Woman Reflects On Being Mistaken for a Mom.” SheWrites.
- Stephen Mattson. “Mother’s Day: The Most Painful Holiday of the Year.” Sojourners.
- Jenell Williams Paris. “When Mother’s Day Is Hard.” Christianity Today.
- An article that may be especially helpful to those who do not have children or have lost children.
- Ruth Moon. “Mother’s Day Worship?” Christianity Today.
- A compilation of perspectives from various Christian leaders.
- Anne Lamott. “Why I Hate Mother’s Day.” Salon.
- April Motl. “Mother’s Day and Mixed Emotions.” Crosswalk.
- Albert Mohler. “On Second Thought — Why Mother’s Day is a Bad Idea.” Christianity.com.
- Alyce M. McKenzie. “‘M’ Is For Many Things: A Sermon for Mother’s Day.” Patheos.
- “Be Pastorally Sensitive on Mothers Day.” Paperthin Hymns.
- Courtney Reissig. “Mourning With Those Who Mourn On Mother’s Day.” Christianity Today (Her-meneutics).
- Looks at Romans 12:15 as the key to approaching Mother’s Day in a Christ-honoring manner.
- Bonnie Harris. “Mothers Day 2012: Is Mothering the Hardest Job of All?” The Christian Science Monitor.
- The author’s answer is yes.
- Craig Portwood. “Should Christians Celebrate Mother’s Day?” The Examiner.
- Portwood points to pagan origins for Mother’s Day and suggests that Christians should not be celebrating the holiday. He also points to the sublimation of other loyalties (e.g. to God) under family and references Matt. 10:37.
- Lina Abujamra. “Mother’s Day for the Non Mother.” Living With Power.
- Offers ten things to do for the non-mother struggling to make it through mother’s day.
- Caryn Rivadeneira. “It’s Mother’s Day, Not Motherhood Day.” Christianity Today (Her-meneutics).
- Sharon Beth Brani. “Remembering the Forgotten Women on Mother’s Day.” Crosswalk.
- Melanie Springer Mock. “Leaning In To the Both/And Of Mother’s Day.” Ain’t I A Woman?
- Caryn Rivadeneira. “Mother Day’s Sermon…Ugh.” thinkChristian.
- Russell Moore. “Remember the Infertile on Mother’s Day.” Crosswalk.
- Jeanne Sager. “Should Mother’s Day Be Cancelled?” The Stir.