This thing called Motherhood, I don’t know if I will ever have it figured out completely. Birth children, step children, grandchildren, His children, my children all muddled up trying to get through this life the best we know how.
When they are young, we are their first understanding of God. To them we know it all, we do it right, and we are eternal. For Mothers, children keep us mindful that we don’t know it all, we are not always sure of which direction to guide them towards, and that we will not live forever. They will take our place in this world, before joining us with the Lord. Raising them with eternity in mind is a job so huge, that I tremble at the knee when I consider the task.
I don’t think I’ll ever do it perfectly, though I have tried. Lord knows how I’ve tried. Does anyone do it perfectly? Has any woman never yelled, jumped to the wrong conclusion, forgotten to encourage, laughed at the wrong time, didn’t laugh at the right time, didn’t punish enough, punished too much, had days of not giving it their all, had days of wanting to just walk away?
We have plans of doing it right. We want to do things like our own mothers, yet better. We saw mistakes and tried to correct them, we saw good things and tried to recreate the experience for our children.
We go though times of pulling away from our mothers as we grow up, angry at times with her imperfection, until we have children of our own and realize how difficult the job. We all just do the best we know how.
How is it that God does not pull out His Holy hair, with all the parenting that he must do with this world? Why doesn’t He resign? I have asked to resign several times during this tour of motherhood, wanting to leave a note behind saying:
“Just wanted you to know, that I quit. I will no longer cook your food, nor will I listen to your opinion about what you would rather have. Your clean underwear is your own problem. I’m going to the lake to lay out, eat cupcakes and talk to my friends on the phone.
Love, Mom”
The fact that I have this fantasy, is proof positive that I am not perfect and will never be perfect at being a mother. God has never quit this job, but there are days I want to walk away and be a daughter again with much less responsibility.
Don’t get me wrong about being a mom. Even on the bad days, I would take a bullet for anyone of them! I have always told people, the most dangerous place you can ever be is between me and one of mine (birth child, step or grand!). This lioness will TAKE YOU DOWN!
Ever since the sin enter into the heart of mankind, we never have had the ability to get it right – to make it perfect. If we could, then Christ would not have been necessary, would he?
Maybe the whole point of motherhood is to understand God’s position as the perfect parent, and to realize that without Him, we cannot do this. We don’t know the way they should go, we don’t know exactly who they were created to be, – we need help.
Perhaps, being a mom, is not about being in charge of people, as much as it is lessons in leaning on the Father. (tweet this)
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your way acknowledge God, and He will direct your path.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
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Diane, you nailed motherhood perfectly. Thank you for post and lessons its shares.
Happy Mother’s Day. Blessings.
Happy Mother’s day, Debra!
A late Happy Mother’s day Debra! Thank you for you blessings!
Diane, You have reached into my head and heart this morning. This is exactly how I feel. I read it twice, enjoyed and saved it for later reference. I love your words but more than that I love the way you share them. I hear your voice when I read them and can see the expression on your face. You are very gifted, never stop living your dream. Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day my friend!
Terrie, You have been on my mind! We need coffee this week! And thank you for your encouragement, I really needed it today! Love you, Girl!
Thank you, Diane – I am a mom of grown children and also grama to ten! And your post speaks so well – especially loved this: “Perhaps, being a mom, is not about being in charge of people, as much as it is lessons in leaning on the Father.” So grateful for how He uses all of life to draw us to lean on Him, and mothering is one of those wonderful, yet demanding things of life that leads us to depend on Him in ways that we would never learn to do otherwise. Happy Mother’s Day!
Oh Cherry, I think we could share some stories, Yes? and Grandma to ten? Wow! Never a dull moment in your life! Thank you for reading and joining in the conversation. ~Di
I can totally relate to all of this post, the leaning on the Lord, the lioness, and the letter of resignation. Thanks so much for sharing this! Blessings to you! Love, Rachael
It is nice to meet you Rachael! I think all moms would like to resign at some point. But staying on coarse, as I’m sure you know, has the greatest blessings on earth! I hope you have a great week!