Motherhood, Moms, Memories & Mercy
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone! There are so many tremendous women out there who do not get the title of mother, and I think it’s important to mention their contribution, in addition to mentioning our own mothers who have done so much too!
There have been so many strong women in my life, it is hard to keep track of all of the influence they have had on my life over the years. The point is that celebration is in order for those who have been rock-star: moms, mother-in-laws, step moms, aunties, sisters, cousins, grandmas, sister-in-laws, adoptive moms, spiritual moms, friends, mentors, teachers, doulas, doctors, co-workers, neighbors and so many more!!
Women overcome seemingly insurmountable struggles every day. And many do it “backwards and in heels.”
A classic cartoon from 1982, pointed out regarding Ginger Rogers. This cartoon paints a picture of life going on, and expectations for women being so high. Some expectations are self-imposed and some are culturally expected. We can do a lot of things! Women, let’s keep it reasonable and be honest about our limitations. No one is forcing you to dance backwards and in heals on your way to the house, office or grocery store. And those women who stood up for what is right years ago and continue to do so are a blessing. Yes, we can do so, so much, and it is important to recognize contributions and limitations and learn how to ask for help too.
I believe that God, in His infinite wisdom, ordained a network of women to see to it that His children would be nurtured and cared for, as He loves us. Yes, men play an important role too in this beautiful puzzle of life. For now, I’m focusing on the mother figures, not forgetting male contributions and role models as well!
It is sobering to think of those who have lost moms, moms who live far away or those who have had pain around the word mom for many reasons. Sometimes Mother’s Day is challenging. The stories of those who have faced these and other kinds of hardships are so important, valuable and to be cherished and we have much to learn from them. Without pain, we would not understand the contrasting feelings of great joy.
It is also important to remember those that give from their strengths and from their emptiness or weakness, looking to Christ for His strength when that last ounce of energy has been spent. It is truly amazing to watch when someone continues to pour out God’s mercies in the midst of trials. These women are heroes! The mom or mother figure who shares good thoughts, good boundaries, good help and grace when things aren’t going according to plan, and when they are! The person who comes along side silently or with words.
This network of powerful women is who raised me, and continue to show me what love means on a daily basis. I find that motherhood has left me feeling weaker and less adept than any challenge I have yet faced. I will continue to work to be more like the Lord, and like these women who have gone before me and those that have touched my life in so many ways. Thank you!!
If you don’t believe in God, believe in the amazing love that is within each person, and is echoed through time in memories made, cherished, and passed on by generations. Believe that you play an important part in loving others.
Do we remember the moments that hurt, in order to heal? Or do we push them down so deeply that we avoid Mother’s Day or miss out on the good that could be there if we just look for it. Can it be a joyful time again if we have lost? Can we dig down deep and give grace, hope and love to those around us who are here with us now? Maybe a friend or a child needs us more now, and we can share what we have learned by our actions and kind words. What a bittersweet idea, to cherish a memory of someone we have lost and then pass along what they shared with us to bless another person.
Our family gave my husband and I a framed piece of art and until recently, I did not fully understand it’s beauty. It says:
“Our family is a circle of strength and love. With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.”
We faced a crisis recently and I experienced first hand the coming together of family and friends to just be with us. Not everyone knows about this struggle as it was so traumatic we aren’t quite ready to share all of the details. But what a gift that the coming together of those around us who love us could contribute while we were in need. This saying and blessing speaks to me now, so much more than it ever did.
When I think of Mother’s Day, I think of many mercies given, memories made and mountains of love.
Just me, imperfect, working hard to be like those I admire and still looking upward because that is were my hope is found.
I like Psalm 121 (ESV), “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Give this song a listen, I just discovered it and it’s awesome!
Happy Mother’s Day!!!!!! Much love!!!!!!