Let’s talk about you. Mother’s Day is less than a week away and I want to take a moment to recognize Moms. Working moms and stay at home moms. New moms and grandma moms. Moms to biological babies. Moms to babies who come from another body. Single moms and married moms. Moms who have never held a baby of their own, but care for others day in and day out. Women who are waiting to be moms. Moms who are in their last years on earth. Moms who have a lot of life ahead of them. All moms. Let’s talk about you.
Let’s Talk About You
It’s 4:00, witching hour or better labeled: mom-wants-to-crawl-in-a-closet hour. You read books, you push swings, you prep dinner in between. As a toddler holds tight to your legs and looks up at you with bright blue eyes, you fold laundry. You kiss owies and hold hands and don’t lose your ever loving mind. Or maybe you do.
You’re a good mom.
Your son walks in the door. He asks, no pleads, to go to the game even though he’s grounded for not completing his chores last week. You say no, he pleads some more. You say no again. He makes promises and then asks again. You say no. Or maybe you say yes.
You’re a good mom.
Your daughter has relapsed once more. You can’t wrap your head around the number of times you have picked her up, bailed her out, wiped her tears, pulled her from the ashes. You’re weary and on your knees and begging God for healing and a new beginning. She calls, crying, and wants you to pick her up from a house you know is infested with all the wrong things. You tell her no. Or maybe you tell her yes.
You’re a good mom.
It’s the end of a hard practice and your girls huddle up. You encourage and challenge them. They head to the locker room, all except one. A sophomore lingers and asks to sit beside you. She divulges a few things going on at home. Hard things. You listen. And then you give her advice or a hug or offer her a ride home or ask if she’s okay if you talk to her parents. Or maybe you simply listen.
You’re a good mom.
The sun sets on another day. You cover your shoulders with a blanket as you wander from the front porch inside to the easy chair. You glance at the chair beside your’s, empty for almost ten years now. The saying: time is a thief echos in your mind. The phone rings and it’s your granddaughter. You sit down and listen to her chatter about her classes, her boyfriend, and some new app she wants you to download so you can ‘connect more’. A smile lingers on your face and you thank God for this moment and this girl you love so much. You pull out your phone to download the app. Or maybe you fall asleep trying.
You’re a good mom.
Wherever you’re at in your motherhood journey: praying for a baby, just getting started, in the teen years, or your babies aren’t babies anymore, my prayer for you is this:
May you know deep in your being and see clearly the impact you have on your children, your family, and the world. May you celebrate the wins in motherhood and give yourself grace for the losses. I pray you see yourself through your children’s eyes, if only for a moment. May you believe there is no other person more capable of being your child’s mom than you. Above all, I pray you know you are loved, cherished, and deemed worthy by the God of the universe.
Cheers to you, Momma! I hope you feel loved and celebrated this Mother’s Day and everyday. And if you want a little more encouragement, check out Moms Matter (because you do).