I Am A Mom
I told my husband today that sometime I can’t believe I am actually a mom but that most times I can’t imagine NOT being a mom. My “momminess” is tied to most everything I do - the laundry, the grocery shopping, the cooking, the packing lunches, the volunteer hours at the school, the practices and games, the wii I play, where we go out to eat, what time I get to bed, what errands I will run today, how much house cleaning I will accomplish, my conversations with friends and family, the photos I take, how many hours to work, where we live so we can be in a good school district, the things I pray about, the things I search scripture for, the friends I have, the birthday party planning….all of these are tied to my role of “Mom”.
But oh-for-the-love-of-all-that-is-my-life, I would NOT ever, ever, EVER trade it. People have tried over and over to put into words the feelings that come with motherhood - but you just can’t. How do you explain why tears come to your eyes when you are just watching them play? How do you express the anxiety of them being out of your care for even a minute? How do you tell them that if you did not have them, you would not be whole?
This journey of motherhood is a gift. A gift that just keeps on giving. May I encourage all moms to not loose sight of that. Even when you are more than tired, even when you want to scratch out your eyeballs in frustration, even when you wish that you could ship them to Grandma’s house…it is all worth it, so very WORTH it.
We had an amazing service at our church this morning. It began with the older kids leading us in worship and ended with all kids, ages 3 and up, singing about how deep and wide and high is the love of Christ…and the love of moms.
But instead of a pastor giving the “message” today, it was 3 moms/grandmas who gave us the message. The things I took away from what they had to say was to not make your kids be you, let them be all that God created them to be and, from time-to-time, enter into their world (this is why I play wii!). And surround yourself with people that will pray for you and your family. Be in a ladies Bible study (something I really need to do again). God knew what kind of mom your kids needed and He picked you. So stop expecting so much from yourself. What your kids need is YOU.
So today may you say with great pride, I am a Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!
May 10th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Awesome post. I know those tears well– just watching them play or laugh. Sometimes my eyes just well up. Oh and I have been involved in a Bible Study Fellowship group these last two years and it has been amazing. I’ll email you and fill you in on it. =)
May 11th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Happy Mothers Day!
We can be so hard on ourselves. It is hard to remember that we are learning to be mom’s while raising these kids. We can’t expect perfection.
I love the quote “there is no way to be a perfect mom, but a million ways to be a good one.”
May 13th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
you always have such a great perspective. i know you are a great mommy. this mommy stuff is challenging at times but i love it so much. i miss you girl. wish we lived closer to you!!