Living in Fullness: Nurturing the Next Generation
Life unfolds in seasons, each with its own stage and story. As children, we are curious and energetic, discovering trust and innocence. Adolescence brings a search for independence, the navigation of peer pressure, and the forging of identity. Early adulthood is marked by the pursuit of careers, relationships, and, for many, the beginnings of a family. It is here that the fullness of life truly blossoms.
Now, in a season of reflection and wisdom, having raised my children, I’ve realized that motherhood never truly ends. Like clay on a potter’s wheel, it is shaped and reshaped, growing from a simple form into something beautiful, strong, and purposeful. Being a mother means living in fullness, and it’s a role that continually fortifies and enriches my life. Whether we live on a rural farm atop a mountain in Haiti or in a suburban Tennessee neighborhood, mothers are united by one thing: our sacred responsibility to guide and shape another human life.
This Mother’s Day, we are honored to share heartfelt messages from a remarkable group: the mothers we serve in Haiti. Click here to read all five inspiring stories. These mothers embody the spirit of the Proverbs 31 woman—nurturing, courageous, and wise. Their hopes and dreams mirror our own: to nurture, be present, and help shape the next generation. Every day, they send their children off to school, worry about their progress, and wonder, just like we do, if their children are making good choices and building healthy friendships. They may juggle work inside or outside the home while raising multiple children, and, in many cases, face the challenges of single motherhood. Some even serve as spiritual mothers to others in their community.
I am especially moved by the reminder in Proverbs 31:1: “The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.” What a beautiful testament to the lasting impact of a mother’s voice. There is no greater fulfillment than championing mothers in Haiti—empowering them with support and resources so they can guide their children with love and faith toward their full potential.
Sally Field’s powerful funeral scene in the film Steel Magnolias is particularly resonant for mothers—it’s easy to identify with her heartbreak, grief, and questions that follow unimaginable loss. “I want to know why her life is over… It’s not supposed to happen this way. Oh, Lord, I wish I could understand.” That raw honesty is the heart of motherhood: loving fiercely, grieving deeply, and always longing for understanding, wanting more for your child than for yourself. A mother’s love is a phenomenon, woven and spun by God himself. Sally’s words echo the depths of a mother’s love and the profound journey we all share. This Mother’s Day, may we honor and uplift every mother, near and far, whose love shapes our world.
You are the Hands & Feet of Jesus, bringing hope and aspiration to children and supporting all our mothers in Haiti. And this is truly fulfilling.