Ohmystinkinheck

Mother’s Day is not just a day to thank the Lord for my own beautiful Mother-which I do and will, but also a day to reflect on my role as a Mother. What is Motherhood all about? What about this “job” do I fully embrace? What should I strive toward in this ever-changing, all encompassing, bountiful, rewarding, exhausting, honorable role?

Yesterday, as I popped off shots of my kids at their Great Grandpa’s house, I saw so much of the effects of motherhood in the snapshots. So much that warmed my heart, convicted my heart, and stretched the fullness of my understanding of just “who” I represent in our family - and how, as a result, I should work to enrich what I do in that position.

I saw the importance of my love for their father. How they need that security and how our marriage is uniquely and painstakingly stitched around them like a hand-sewn quilt; wrapping them in all the comforts of family and foundation. How that stability bears out in their relationship with him, and how the expressions of my love for Jeff sets a precedent for their future life loves.

I saw that I am the bearer of band-aids…not just the physical sort, but emotional as well. I need to hear what they are saying and even, what they don’t say, but need me to know. At times I will need to bear-up with them beneath their personal burdens so it doesn’t take them to their knees. In that I will be with them in their deepest sorrows and together we’ll grow stronger.

I should capture their true beauty-even when they cannot see it for themselves; especially then. When the world tells them they are worthless, I should point them to the truth. They are a child of the King; heirs to the throne. That beauty emanates from within and there is no greater beauty than the love they can show another through Jesus Christ, their Lord.

It is my absolute blessing to revel in the fullness of their heartfelt joy. To laugh and be silly. To stop and SEE. To remember what it was like to be young and happy, without all the nonsense that builds atop true joy to hold it down. I should always present the day as an opportunity for joy to reveal itself, rather than a drudgery. Children need joy-every single day. Laughter is simply an essential for their good health spiritually, physically and mentally.

I need to see who they are-who God made them to be and give them the freedom to be that person. If at times they need to growl into the wind, let them growl. If they need to dance, let them dance. If they need to hide, let them hide. My children are like me in some ways, some more than others, but they are not fully me. They need the freedom to fulfill the roles they were created for; that special role that makes them the perfect fit to God’s plan in this puzzling world.

I need to give them a history. I should share pieces of my childhood. Let them know where they came from by telling them where I came from. That they belong to something beyond themselves. That I too was once a child, with a history, and that history is theirs as much as mine.

I am overwhelmed with this role-both the honor and the weight. So much hangs in the balance, and yet, even as I fail regularly, I can teach them forgiveness and perseverance. My days are a living example-my past a textbook of examples.

This Mother’s Day I pray for the ability to do it all better and at the same time, thank the good Lord for ever letting me do it in the first place.

Happy Mother’s Day.

25 Responses to “Mother’s Day Reflections”

1. karey m.

   oh. well. this is beyond…

   this is one i need to come back to a few times. like a resource book…

2. Heather Young

   Just stopping by to say have a blessed Mother’s Day.

3. that girl

   happy mother’s day! pretend I just wrote that on your chalkboard wall…

4. nancypants

   Happy Mother’s Day, Heather! :^D

5. Miz Booshay

   Wonderful, heart-felt, true.

   Happy Mother’s Day!

6. Lisa C

   Wow. Gave me chills! Your post just reiterates everything that our pastor said in church this a.m. What a wonderful role a mother (parent) is … but so hard at the same time. The most important part is teaching them about faith & loving the Lord. Seems like you’re doing a wonderful job!

7. Bethany

   thank you for that, beautiful. happy mother’s day to you!

8. JackieW.

   Happy MD !

9. rachel

   Absolutely beautiful. This is fabulous. Thank you so much for this. Karla (lookingtowardsheaven) shared this and I am thrilled to have found your page.
   Happy Mother’s Day.

10. Elizabeth

    “I am overwhelmed with this role-both the honor and the weight.”
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This is totally beautiful!

11. Laurie

    Amen.

12. Liz C.

    I hope I will bear burdens with my children, but I also hope all our burdens *will* bring us to our knees… not in defeat, but in prayer and in gratitude.

    Feeling awfully blessed this Mother’s Day!

13. bethany actually

    Happy Mother’s Day to you too! I hope you had a splendid day. :-)

14. What Happens Next...

    I agree that the days that bring us to our knees are the ones to be the most thankful for. It is on our knees that we truly find our way.

    Beautiful, beautiful post. Thanks, and Happy Mother’s Day to all!

15. naomi

    you have a lovely way with words.

16. Stefani

    Oh gosh. This is just SO beautifully and thoughtfully written, you amazing mama!

17. Michelle

    Hubs and Em look so much alike in that first picture!

18. Mrs. Wilson

    So. Much. PRESSURE!

    Great post. It inspired me to tell my children of my childhood.

    And the closeness of parents? Priceless. Mine weren’t. At all. I hope to do a 180 on that for my kids.

19. Lanna

    Is it sad I kinda wish you were my mommy? My sister and I didn’t have that security or happiness, and my poor sis is just realizing how much of an impact those relationships had on us (well, and the insanity/parental drama we’re currently dealing with). *sigh*

20. frugalmom

    Happy Mothers Day! Great post.

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22. Shannon

    Glad you had a great Mother’s Day!

23. Jess

    Beautiful.

24. Kristy

    Wow. This is just fabulous! Between the pictures and your beautiful words, I just sat there - chillbumps. Taking it all in.

    You inspire me to be better. Better mother. Better wife. Seriously, your words, your example. They’re a powerful witness.

    Thank you.

25. Jamie

    In a word…awesome.

    Happy Belated Mother’s Day!