Happy Mother's Day!!
You let me know you love me
In so many different ways.
You make me feel important
With encouragement and praise.
You're always there when I need you
To comfort and to care.
I know I'm in your thoughts;
Your love follows me everywhere.
Thank you for all you've done
And given so generously.
I love you, my wonderful mother;
You're a heaven-sent blessing to me.
By Joanna Fuchs
We know we should do better but for some reason many of us only show real appreciation for our mom on this one day a year. We don't think about all they've done, they continue to do, how important they were as we grew up and how important they continue to be for the next generation. We should not only consider our mom but also mothers everywhere.
There is an amazing and miraculous bond between a mother and a baby. As a child grows, mom continues to nurture, guide and protect while the child begins to push away, learn independence and rebel. It seems that mothers retain that bond and it causes them great pain as they have to let go. Their babies begin to crawl and they crawl away from mom. Mom's babies begin to walk and run and they seem to walking and running away more than they are running to her. As we all grew, mom had to leave us with someone else for the first time - it didn't matter who it was, she worried. Then mom dropped their baby off at school or watched them get on the school bus for the first time. Things would never be the same after that. Yet, once again, mom moves on, the pain heals and fades just like the pain of childbirth becomes a vague memory.
So many moms have gone through so much. I think of my own mom as she dealt with me in my first few years of school. I guess it was in first or second grade when I had a morbid fear of death. I don't know what started this was but it kept me in a constant state for some time. I was afraid if I left home that mom and dad wouldn't be there when I got back. I closed my eyes and saw darkness and nothing and didn't want myself or my family to go there. With this fear and panic that came on me, I remember crying a lot. I remember walking to school and turning around and coming home before I ever got there. There were days I got 'sick' and came home because of this fear. How did mom deal with it? She was scared with me and for me. I don't know if I was able to explain to her what I was feeling but I remember her patience. I remember her talking to my Dad asking, "What are we going to do?" Things couldn't continue as they were. I was missing school. Yet, she was feeling the pain and fear I was feeling.
To this day, I can't explain what that was. Looking back, I know it was dark, caused fear and that causes me to think it was some sort of evil. I imagine it was prayer and understanding from Mom that finally got me through that phase in my life. How did I thank her? I grew up, became a teenager and then really tortured her. The older I get, the more I understand how much pain I caused in those years.
I'm fairly certain that every mother is in agreement. Like old soldiers telling war stories, each mom could tell each of us her story of courage in the face of some incredible battles. A normal childhood and normal growth causes Mom many tears and prayers. Mom, we thank you for every one of those sleepless nights, long prayers on our behalf and each tear shed. Forgive us for not always showing our appreciation and love for all that you've done.
My prayer goes out today to each mother.
- To the mother of the newborn that finds herself scared and is not sure she knows how to be a good mom. God will show you - He has put it in you.
- To the mother of the young children who is worn to a frazzle and just wants the world to slow down a little. God is the source of joy, patience and love. He will renew you when you feel you can't possibly stomach another soccer game or dance recital.
- To the mother of the teenager that sees their child going down the paths they were warned to stay away from. God will give you patience, wisdom and comfort to say and do the right thing as you deal with it.
- To the single mom who is scared and lonely, I pray that God will comfort you and provide for you all that you need.
- My most heartfelt prayer goes out to the mother who has had to bury a child. I pray that God would ease the pain of your grief.
- And for Grandmothers, I pray that your grey hair and grace would be a source of love and support for every mom.
So, to my mom and moms everywhere, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day. You are loved and appreciated.
Have a great day!
Doug
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