I’m feeling very spoiled. I was presented with breakfast in bed when I woke up, and then at church my eldest son gave a talk and paid tribute to me as his mother- what more could a mom ask for? And THEN all the children and teens in our church congregation (including my 3 boys) stood and sung to all of us mothers. The tears flowed freely and my heart was and still is so full. The title was “More than Enough” and its been running through my head on repeat today. It’s gentle, encouraging, and pays tribute to all the heart and work that goes in to being a mother. I thought I’d jump on and share it here. (See link below)

This week I’ve been thinking about how true it is that a mother’s influence is immesureable- not just in a superlative sense as we pay tribute to our mothers, but in a very accurate sense. My mother began mothering me YEARS before I can even remember being on this planet. Spent time caring for me, loving me, teaching me, cleaning up after me, guiding me, protecting me…

My memories of younger years don’t necessarily include what my mom was doing, but as a mother myself, I can see her hand in almost every memory I have. I stumbled over a verse in scripture recently that said something like “He was in and through all things.” It was talking about Jesus Christ, but I can’t think of a phrase that is more true of mothering.

Memories of camping? Who helped you pack? Bought the camera you used (and everything else for that matter)? Listened to your stories when you got home?

Memories with siblings? Who helped you develop those relationships and taught you to be kind? Whose idea was it to do that activity in the first place? And organized the room you were playing in?

Memories of school? Who woke you up that morning? Greeted you when you arrived home? Prayed for you while you were away? Packed your lunch? Wrote you a note? Helped you with the homework?

Memories of worshipping God? Who prayed with you before you can remember? Who created moments of strengthening faith? Who read scripture to you and with you day after day? Who took you to church each week when it would have been so much easier to stay home? Who showed you what it looked like to live a life focused toward God?

Not one of us claim to be perfect- it far too big of a responsibility to do it all “right”- and that was never the point anyway. The older I get, the more I give gratitude to God that I get another day to practice being a Mother. And I know God is pleased with those efforts to love, care and nurture, no matter how imperfect those efforts feel.

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mother who gave birth to me and is in and through my entire life.

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mother by marriage who has blessed my life in countless ways.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there – who are doing their best and tomorrow will get up and try again.

Love,

Laura