Empty Arms on Mother's Day              Each year we set aside a day in May to honor mothers. While Mother's Day is a special day for millions of women, countless more dread that day each year. For the childless woman who wants children, Mother's Day can be frustrating and painful.             Often, Mother's Day church services hurt more than they help. She is one of the few women who doesn't get a flower or special Mother's Day gift. She sits uncomfortably through a service where the pastor proclaims that God fills the home with the treasure of children. Parents nod and smile in agreement and wonder when she is going to start a family.             "Don't worry. Next year, you'll be standing up with all the other mothers," someone says. But she may not be. She leaves the service feeling worse than when she came. All she wants is a baby, and no one sees her pain. She is reminded again of her infertility and may even feel incomplete as a woman. Each month she hopes and prays that this will be the month she conceives only to be disappointed. An unknown poet expressed well the pain she feels:             I am in pain. Someone just died. Who you say? Someone who never was.           I am infertile. My period just came. I hurt so much.           My body keeps reminding me I am incomplete, I don't function properly.           Why? Why? Why? Oh, my baby, why can't you be?             After years of infertility treatment, she conceives only to miscarry the baby. Her heart is heavy as she realizes she may never have a child. Life does not seem fair. While she desperately wants a baby, other women intentionally abort their children. She would gladly adopt one of those babies as her own. Doesn't anyone care for her pain?             Infertility affects approximately 10% to 15% of couples. Although I have not struggled with infertility, I have experienced the hurt of miscarriage. I do not understand how you feel, but I know you hurt deeply.             This article is to honor the women who have no biological children on earth. I care and wish I could alleviate your pain. I wish I could fill your empty arms.   Empty Arms Another month has passed. God, I don't understand. I just want a baby. Please fill these empty hands.   If you give me a baby, I'll raise him for you like Hannah of old--  that's what I'll do.   Oh, for a little one to fill my life with joy! One or two-I don't care. I'd love a girl or boy. Lord, give me peace within my heart. to rest satisfied each day. No matter what You choose to do I'll trust You and obey.     *  *  * Poem Copyright 2005 Rachel Keller Article copyright 2000, Rachel Keller