This Sunday our nation will celebrate Mother’s Day. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation calling for the second Sunday in May to be celebrated in honor of mothers. However, the commemoration started several years before then, and has deep roots in the Methodist Church.
The first official Mother’s Day celebration took place in Grafton, WV at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in May of 1908. There, Anna Jarvis organized the event as a time for people to recall the influence of their mothers. It was her suggestion that a personal letter be written to them as an expression of thanks. She did this because of the influence her mother, Ann, had on her life.
Ann’s legacy included education for mothers on hydration, illness, sanitation, and nutrition of their children. When the civil war broke out, she rallied mothers in her town to work at the local field hospital, caring for the wounded and dying. Throughout it all, it is said, Ann’s first and foremost thought was on peace in the world and caring for those in need. So, why wouldn’t Anna want to celebrate that?
Yet, Anna also struggled as Mother’s Day caught on and became more commercialized. When people started making money off of the celebration, she became infuriated. It is said that she had very powerful remarks against Hallmark. She reported exclaimed, “How lazy can you be to buy someone else’s sentiments for your mother? One day out of the year sit down and tell your mother what you really think of her.”
So, perhaps this year, we all need to take the opportunity to ponder the impact of our mothers and let them know about it. Write them a few words, even if they are no longer with us today, and let them know exactly what lies upon your heart. I’m very certain that it will carry more meaning than you will ever know.
Always pondering,
Pastor Steve