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From Reverend Sharon Grenham-Thompson, vicar in Milton Keynes:

My kids have a plan to go out shopping when they get home from school today. They’ve been whispering with my other half, and I think they’re plotting what I hope will turn out to be breakfast in bed this coming Sunday, which these days we call ‘Mother’s Day.’

Originally though it was called ‘Mothering Sunday’. In the 16th century it was the tradition at this time of year to visit either the church where you’d been baptised or the nearest ‘significant’ (‘mother’) church in the area.

Gradually this became an occasion for family reunions. Often children as young as ten left home to work as domestic servants, and this was the time to get back to see their mum, and the rest of the family. Often the returning youngsters would pick wildflowers to take to church or to give to their mother as a small gift.

In modern times the emphasis has been much more on the ‘mother’ bit, and much less on the ‘church’ aspect, and it’s become a day focussed on appreciating mothers for the part they play in their children’s lives.

That’s lovely, of course, and like many mums I enjoy the gifts of smellies and chocs, and the toast and tea in bed. But I also know it can be a really tricky day for people for all kinds of reasons. I, too, have shed tears on Mothering Sunday in the past.

Experiences of parenting, and being parented, can be good and bad. But I found my faith helpful, as I discovered someone who weeps when I weep, rejoices when I rejoice and loves me for who I am, and not for what I‘ve done or what my family life looks like.

I started out in life calling this something or someone by a male name - our Father who art in heaven - but in the creation stories at the very beginning of the bible we hear about God ‘brooding’ over the formless void - a very maternal description. I’ve come to know and love the image of God as Mother too - and that idea of God has become a place to which I return time and again: a place where I’ve been able to find comfort, healing and affirmation. So I hope this coming Mother’s Day can be a day for us all, whatever our circumstances, to feel special - because we are!