Throughout my life, God has richly blessed me with so much more than I deserve; great family and friends, a loving husband, a fulfilling career…..the list goes on and on.
Of all these amazing blessings, I have to say that the greatest treasures that God has blessed me with (besides salvation through Jesus) are my two boys. Mother's Day was a few days ago, and after spending the day with my boys, I thought it would be nice to share my thoughts on what being a mother means to me.
Sometimes I can’t believe how it’s possible that God entrusted me with these awesome boys…seriously, what an amazing gift! The Bible reminds us that having children is indeed a gift: "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." (Psalms 127:3)
I think it's sad that some mothers look at motherhood as an obligation or a chore...
It's neither one of those things.
Motherhood is a blessing and should be treated as such. It's a calling from God that we should embrace with the utmost respect and dedication. Being a mother is not just about giving birth, it is so much more than that….it is the most important job in the world... a job that should be taken seriously.
I've always looked at my boys as gifts from God, rather than just obligations, and this has always prompted me to strive to be the best mother that I can be. After all, God gave me the privilege of being their mother. He trusted me with two of HIS children and that should never be taken lightly.
As a mother, you are responsible for shaping the lives of your children to become accountable adults. Mothers are supposed to nurture their children and teach them right from wrong. Mothers are given the awesome responsibility to influence their children in positive ways and to instill within them the importance of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and love for God and their fellow man.
I know that I fall short in many ways in my role as a mother. I'm sure we all feel this way sometimes. So, one of my strongest prayers is to be the mother that God has called me to be. After all, it was God who chose me to be the mother of my boys and I have the responsibility to do everything I can to make sure that I am doing the best the I can - with God's help.
When you think about it, a mother’s love is the first love that a baby will know. A mother’s embrace is the first feeling of safety a baby will feel. And as the child grows, the influence that a mother has on her children is so important in the way her children make choices. For me, it is so important to make being a good mother one of the main priorities in my life… no matter what age my children are.
My oldest son is 22 and my youngest is 16. In my eyes, they are both my babies. Although I know that they are getting older and will soon both be on their own, I sometimes still see them as they were when they were small. I want them to need me and come to me for help. They don't always do that anymore, and that's ok, but I want them to know that no matter how old they are, I will always be here.
Sometimes I wonder where all the time has gone. It was only yesterday that I held these beautiful little baby boys in my arms. In my eyes, they were perfect. I always think about the things that I could have done better, things I should have said, and the ways I could have been a better example. But I don't dwell on the past, I try to make it a point to do better now and certainly in the future.
The love I felt when I first held my newborn babies for the first time is really indescribable. I didn’t know that I could love another person so much. And over the years, the definition of unconditional love has become crystal clear to me. I remember every moment, every smile and funny look, and every time my heart broke while their hearts were breaking.
A mother's heart is a special place. It is a place where true love lives. It is created in the image of the heart of God where unconditional love, grace and mercy reside. The heart of God is so big that it houses enough love for every single one of us and through a mother's heart we are able to see a glimpse of the heart of our Father who loves us with an indescribable love.
When you feel overwhelmed with the daily routine of caring for your children, remember that God chose you to be a mother to His very own children. Think about the amazing gift that He gave you - being a mother. He trusted your ability to positively influence the lives of your children, to call on Him when you need His guidance and to shape the lives of your children - never take that lightly.
Remember the words in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Teach your children about God's love for them. Teach them right from wrong. Teach them to love others, and to do good for their fellow man. Teach them to learn from their mistakes. Speak kindly to them and correct them lovingly when they need correcting.
Always remember that God is there to carry you through the most important job in the world - Isaiah 66:13 confirms this very fact: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you."
One last thing... Please don't ever look at a child as a "mistake." God does not make mistakes and if He has blessed you with the gift of motherhood, embrace it. Do not resent the great blessing of a having a child. And remember this - Everyone is born with a purpose known only to God. It may be that your child was created to change the world.
Blessings,
Amy