I have been a mom for 22 years and the baby boy that made me a mom is graduating from college this week! For 22 years motherhood has been a lot of heart-wrenching, heart-warming, soul-searching and blessed work. As we celebrate all moms this weekend, I wanted to share some thoughts I had from my own journey in motherhood that may cause you to reflect as well.
Heart-wrenching: We will spend a third to three quarters of our adult life growing up (maturing) with our husband and children. With growth comes those moments that seem to blindside our hearts: Your child has an unexplainable and possibly serious illness; the teacher tells you your child injured another child at school; your child isn’t invited to the party, doesn’t make the team or tells you you’re the worst mom in the world. It is in these moments that we learn the depth of our empathy and compassion as we learn how to reconcile our own emotions while comforting our precious child.
Heart-warming: Thankfully, we are able to find balance and encouragement to counteract those heart-wrenching moments with the heart-filling rewards that come at just the right time: The first wobbly steps; toothless smiles; those sweet cuddles and endless giggles; watching them sleep, Christmas morning, first place trophies, family vacations and seeing your child walking across a stage to receive a diploma. Of course, there are also all the “mom” phrases that will become lifetime treasures too: Watch me mom; play with me mom; thank you mom; can I help you mom; you’re the best mom in the world; I love you mom.
Soul-searching: Woven through all our experiences as moms, we question ourselves: Am I doing enough or even doing it right; am I loving them enough; can I overcome my own insecurities, selfishness and past mistakes. Learning to let go of what you can’t control and trusting in God’s limitless wisdom, mercy and grace will cultivate and fill your soul as a mom. Our perceived inadequacies and failings don’t seem as great when we can faithfully trust in the boundless grace of our Lord. It also allows us to see our own moms and grandmothers with an even greater acceptance and appreciation. We’re all, lovingly, doing the best we can!
I hope you find encouragement as you think about your own motherhood journey and know that you are doing a great and blessed work. The strength of your love for your children is all the strength you need to be the mom God made you to be. Through all the heart-wrenching and heart-warming moments to all those instances of soul-searching, I wouldn’t change anything because it’s a labor of unimaginable love!
“The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.”
-St. Therese of Lisieux
Have a blessed Mother’s Day!
Shelly & Rich