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What is Birthmother’s Day?

adoption agency in Alabama

Every year Lifeline Children’s Services honors birthmothers at a Birthmother’s Day Luncheon. This luncheon is a time for women who have placed a child for adoption to come together and be celebrated and honored. It is also a time for these brave birthmothers to meet other women who have had a similar experience. This luncheon provides a safe space for each woman to share her story and be affirmed in her grief, her love for her child, and her strength in walking forward each day as a birthmother.

Some of the women that attend the luncheon placed a child for adoption 20 years ago, and others placed within this past year. They all come together to share stories, hear stories and to be encouraged. Each of these women made the brave decision to put their child’s best interest above their own and give their child the beautiful gifts of life and the love of a family. This is a decision to be honored every day but especially on the weekend of Mother’s Day.

Birthmother’s Day was created in 1990 by a group of Seattle birthmothers who wanted to honor and remember the strength that it takes to be a birthmother. In 1990, there was a strong stigma against adoption. It was often done in secret and in shame. The women who created Birthmothers day hoped to change this stigma. At Lifeline, we are also passionate about changing the stigma and this is why we empower women to think through their decision. There is an abundance of resources to help them choose between parenting and adoption. They also get to choose the family they entrust their little one to and are able to determine the level of openness they desire. On Birthmother’s Day, we want to take the time to honor these brave women regardless of what circumstance surrounded them as they walked through adoption.

Every year Lifeline’s staff chooses a theme and a scripture for Birthmother’s day. We hope that these words would be more than simply words on a screen or piece of paper, but that these truths would penetrate the hearts of women and bring them deep encouragement and hope.

One of our themes is from Isaiah 61 where we are reminded of how God takes our mess and makes it beautiful. We are encouraged about how he removes our sadness and replaces it with abundant joy. 

Beauty for Ashes

“…to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” Is. 61:3

If you know a birthmom, please encourage her this week. Love her and lift her up! Birthmothers are mothers. They are brave beyond understanding. They give from love and love alone. They pay a price that many will never understand.

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