Mother's Day is here! And I wanted to take just a moment to say what every woman should hear and say on this day.
YOU. ARE. DOING. GOOD. WORK.
You heard that right? Because you really are. I truly believe every woman who has ever invested and cared for another person of younger life experience needs to hear that. I have known women who have never carried a baby in their own womb, but because they shared the deepest parts of their hearts, to me they have mothered. And they should be celebrated.
I will be the first to tell you, that being a mom is hard-stinking-work. So just for one day, let's all put aside the mom war opinions and look at another woman and say straight into their souls, "sister, you have loved and you are so loved. I'm thankful for you. Happy Mother's Day!"
I believe in the hard, ugly parts of motherhood. Those times where you secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) just want a durn moment to be by yourself and finish a thought. Those times you want to finish unloading the dishwasher without some crazy kid climbing in and licking a freshly washed spoon. Those times where you tell your toddler "NO MORE TALKING." I can't be the only one right? Those times are hard. They don't always show the best parts of our attitudes, but they're important. Why? Because grace. Grace is the glorious realm where all parents dwell. It is the place where Christ holds us and whispers (sometimes shouts) "you cannot do this without Me." It is where I am humbled to repentance and used as an example right in front of my own children. And not long after always comes the sweet forgiveness from tiny faces with pure hearts. They invite me to cuddle, or ask to be held, or sneak in a kiss as they hurry by to play..and that's where the beauty is. On the other side of the hard stuff, which you might miss completely if you aren't careful. That kind of love makes me weepy, yall. Like putty in the hands of my babies.
Loving anyone is hard. Probably because we cannot control other people the way we'd like to. But whether you have loved a 3 week old, a 13 year old, or a 30 year old, I believe you have mothered in some way or another. There will always be hard parts. There will always be mom guilt. I have had 3 kids in 3 years and I have been told a different way was best each time. You cannot please everyone. And luckily you don't have to. I want to be the mom speaking life into the women entering this sweet season of motherhood. Not the one at the baby shower freaking out the new mom-to-be with horror stories of labor and up all night misery, or the you should blah blah blah or you aren't giving your baby the best... I try to tell all of my mama friends this: Your baby won't know any better than you do. You are learning together. Love them well, serve them well. Ask forgiveness when you know you need to.
At the end of the day, you have done the best you could. You are awesome! You're doing a great job, sister! Whether with your baby, your niece you're helping take care of, or as a foster or adopted mother, you are making a difference! Your influence is a blessing. Be a builder, not a bulldozer.
This Mother's Day, tell another mama (preferably one who may do things differently than you) that you love them and how they love their babies. Trust me when I say that women need to hear that from other women. And I think it blesses God's heart to see us encourage one another.
So. Happy Mother's Day to all you ladies who have spoken life into a young person. You are impactful! You are so beautiful and so perfect for your babies! Swim in His grace today and every day. Kiss your babies, and squeeze them tight, because the responsibility might be hard, but it truly is the best job ever.
