Complimentary Story
May 2026I’ve been thinking a lot about Jonah lately, especially as Mother’s Day approaches. For many years, I would read the book of Jonah and find myself puzzled by his response. How could a man who had been rescued so dramatically from the sea, who had been given another chance by God, and who had seen an entire city repent at his preaching, still respond with such anger and self-focus? Why would he sit outside Nineveh, upset over a plant that withered, to the point of wishing to die? It always seemed so unreasonable.
But more and more, I find myself recognizing something uncomfortable — I see Jonah in my own heart.
God blesses us in countless ways. He provides, protects, guides, and shows mercy again and again. Yet it doesn’t take much — a disappointment, an inconvenience, an unmet expectation — for discouragement to creep in. Instead of asking what God may be teaching us, or trusting that “all things work together for good to them that love God,” (Romans 8:28), we can become focused on what we feel we have lost. Like Jonah, we can lose sight of the bigger picture of God’s goodness and grace.
This struggle becomes especially real in seasons like May, when we are reminded of Mother’s Day. For many, this is a joyful time filled with gratitude and celebration. But for others, it can be deeply painful. Some remember mothers who were absent or who did not provide the love and care they longed for. Others grieve mothers who are no longer here. Still others feel the ache of longing for children they do not have.
In moments like these, it can be tempting to base our joy — or our lack of it — on our circumstances. It may seem that thankfulness is only natural when life feels full and good. But Scripture points us to a deeper truth: our joy is not meant to rest in what has happened or has not happened to us. It is not rooted in what we have or do not have. True thankfulness flows from who God is.
Everything we need — our contentment, our joy, our sense of value and worth — is found in Him.
This doesn’t mean that pain isn’t real or that difficult circumstances should be ignored. But it does mean that they do not have the final say. We can choose thankfulness even in the midst of them. That choice may not feel natural at first, but over time it can become a genuine part of who we are as we continually turn our hearts toward God.
If you are alive and reading this, you have a mother. That alone is something to consider with gratitude, because through her, God gave you life. None of us would be here without our mothers. That does not erase the pain that some relationships may carry, but it does remind us that even in imperfect situations, there are still gifts from God to acknowledge.
As I reflect on my own life, I see this more clearly. My mother did not initially want to be a mother. When she first found out she was unexpectedly expecting, she did very little to prepare. But when that baby arrived, something changed. She loved that child more than she ever thought possible. A little over two years later, I was born, and she went on to have nine children. She set aside her own dreams to stay home, care for us, and homeschool each one.
She was not perfect. Many times I felt hurt or frustrated by her shortcomings. But as time has passed, and especially as I have become a mother myself, my perspective has changed. I have come to see her sacrifices more clearly and to understand more the weight of the responsibility she carried.
I always wanted to be a mother, but I married later than I expected. When I was finally blessed with children, I found that motherhood was far more challenging than I had imagined. I am deeply thankful for my seven children, but there have been many moments when it has stretched me beyond what I thought I could handle. That experience has given me a greater compassion for my own mother and a deeper appreciation for all she did.
In the Psalms, we are invited to “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” and again, “Give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good.” These are not statements based on circumstances — they are declarations of truth about God’s character. Yet how often do our attitudes reveal that we struggle to truly believe them?
When life is hard — whether in our relationships, our families, or any other area — we have a choice. We can focus on what feels lacking, or we can begin by affirming what is always true: God is good.
Thanking Him for His goodness, even when we do not fully understand our circumstances, shifts our perspective. As we keep His character in view, we begin to see that He really is working all things for good in our lives. That doesn’t mean everything feels good, but it does mean everything is under His control and part of His greater purpose.
Jonah struggled to see that. He focused on his discomfort rather than God’s mercy. But we are invited to respond differently.
No matter what your situation is this Mother’s Day — whether it is filled with joy, sorrow, longing, or a mixture of all three — you can choose thankfulness. Not because everything is as you would wish, but because God is who He says He is.
He is good. He is faithful. And He is in control.
When we anchor our hearts in that truth, we can find a deep and steady thankfulness that goes beyond circumstances — a thankfulness that leads to real joy and lasting peace.
Emily Myers and her husband, Daniel, live on a small farm in Missouri where they homeschool their seven children. Emily is a Certified Professional Midwife. Together, Emily and Daniel co-authored “Expressions of Thanksgiving,” a family devotional designed to cultivate hearts of gratitude through Scripture, song, and reflection. Daniel also illustrated the book with his original artwork.
