If you are reading my BLOG, you have helped me to be a best mom and have inspired me to write this post.
Maybe you aren't a mom yet and you want to be, I know what that feels like. Maybe you post on my Facebook page or on my BLOG, and I am reminded of that part of my journey to be a mom. Maybe I read stories of your infertility or long awaited adoptions and it makes me pause. It makes me hold my kids tighter and longer, exercise more patience and self control and it makes me take the time to look into each of their beautiful little eyes and whisper, "I love you, I am so thankful for your precious life." It also reminds me to pray for you in your journey, which keeps my heart thankful.
Maybe you have lost a child. I don't know what that feels like and I pray I never do. Maybe you pour your heart out in posts or maybe you keep your grief inside. Either way- I hurt for you and I become a better mom. It makes me treasure each moment more. It makes me leave the laundry and the dishes unattended to read one more book. It makes me rock my sweet baby to sleep, watching her breathing on my chest without worry about the old naysayers warnings about spoiling. It brings me to my knees as I am reminded to pray for you and to treasure every single day with my children.
Maybe you have been where I am, years ago. Maybe you take the time to call me and offer to watch all three of my babies so I can go out an have an hour to myself. Maybe you meet me for lunch and give me words of wisdom. Maybe you bring me frozen dinners, chocolate, flowers or coffee. Maybe you sit with me at my kitchen table or on my back deck and talk, then pray, then encourage with a hug. Each time you contact me, I become a better mom. I take a deep breath. I realize I am not alone. I look ahead with peace and hope, knowing that I am fighting the good fight right now for these babies and my hard work will pay the greatest dividend...seeing my children grow to know they are loved by me - so that they can understand the love of their Heavenly Father to a greater degree.
Maybe you are in the trenches with me. Yes, I said trenches. Sometimes motherhood is just plain hard and exhausting. Sometimes it causes raw emotions to erupt due to lack of sleep, constant demands and discipline and (major) need for redefining of self. Maybe you bring your kids over to play with mine so we can talk over coffee (or wine). Maybe you post something about wanting to take all the batteries out of your kids' noisy toys at night while they are sleeping and I relate! Maybe you look me in the eyes and tell me, "I know how you feel"...and I believe you. Maybe you pick up my babies and love them too...and you even go so far as to allow me to go to the bathroom by myself...just so I can turn around and hold your baby for you while you do the same. Maybe you listen to the Frozen soundtrack as many times a day as I do. Maybe you let me cry on your shoulder when fatigue sets in and I am so tired it hurts. Maybe you stay at my house when you could go home and get things done for your own family and let me nap. Maybe you call me to ask how I am. Maybe you break into prayer mid-sentence when I am sharing my heart and you cry with me. Maybe you celebrate with me when my child passes a swimming test, says he loves reading, or best ever...accepts Jesus into his heart!! Each time you reach out to me, I feel affirmed. I realize I am not alone. I know I am doing my best and I am learning from you too- because I think you are a great mom. I use some of your parenting styles and discipline techniques to augment mine, I listen to your successes and challenges as a mom and I grow. I see you as a beautiful flower in my bouquet of life and I treasure your heart, as it cares for mine. I love my babies better because of you and the love you show me.
Maybe you work with me and we witness the reality of sick kids together. Maybe we have cried together over our sweet little patients. Maybe we have vented frustrations over seeing parents who mistreat their children. Maybe you have become a very dear friend who relates to me in a way not everyone can. Maybe you have taken the time to get to know me, to ask about my family, to go so far as to get to know my family. Maybe you have seen me cry at work when the stress is too much to bear and you offer to see my next patient for me so I can breath. Maybe you make jokes about the crazy world of healthcare and I laugh a much needed laugh. Maybe you buy me a coffee at Starbucks and have it waiting for me at my work station when I return from a long appointment. Each time you care for me, I care for my children better. I realize I am not the only one challenged emotionally by a career in care giving. I breath a little more easily and walk a little bit lighter because I know we are in it together. I am a better mom because of you.
Maybe you are a man in my life, my hubby, a friend, an uncle, a brother, a cousin. Maybe you don't think you help me to be the best mom (Stan, you know you do...). But you all do. Having the support and affirmation from men I respect means so very much to me as a mom. Words of encouragement, genuine care and concern and prayer from those I consider "wise counsel" boost my confidence as a mom and open my eyes to the way I want my sons to one day encourage other women.
How am I a best mom? I am a best mom because God chose me, and only me, to be THE best mom to Landon, Connor and Lindsay Jane. I am the best mom for them. I am the best mom for reasons I have yet to discover. I am the best mom because I am a loved child of God myself and my goal is to live out that love to my little ones. I am the best mom because of all of you.
And guess what, you are the best mom for yours...or yours to come, or yours who have left this earth. If you are not a mom, maybe you have a part in encouraging other moms like me or children like mine to know that they are loved. Love is what inspired me to write this. Not the love that the world gives, but the supernatural love of Christ. It's a love I experience every day and it is all I need to be the best mom.
Love bears all things, believes all things and hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Happy Mother's Day to each of you and thanks for helping me be a best mom. You are too.
