Our household seems to reside on the fringe of ‘normal’. Usually this doesn’t phase me. I accept that the decisions we make and the convictions we have make us different.
Being followers of Christ makes us different.
Through the lens of our faith we’ve had to evaluate why we do many things. How we dress, what we watch, what we listen to, where our children are educated, what we celebrate and why we celebrate it.
…and today is Mother’s Day.
Because today I do not get to celebrate with all of my children. One left this world less than one month after she entered it.
My Mother’s Day (just like everyday) is incomplete.
But then I started to think further along these lines.
What makes a mother?
It isn’t becoming pregnant. There are many awesome and dedicated moms that have never carried a pregnancy and they are still mothers.
It isn’t the process of birth. There are women who have conceived and have not birthed a live child and they are still mothers.
It isn’t the raising of children. There are some women who have children that never live long enough to grow and receive instruction and they are still mothers.
Motherhood happens in the heart before anything else.
It happens the moment a women realizes that she can and will care for someone in need of guidance and mentoring and nurturing. Often it will be at the sacrifice of her own comfort.
…and those that she chooses to love this way may never live under the same roof as her.
I am blessed to know women who may not have “children of their own” but are certainly mothering many! I know too many who have never brought their precious babies home, and whether or not they are blessed with another child they will always be moms. I count myself blessed to know dear women who have chosen to bring home their children through adoption, knowing fully that shared bloodlines do NOT make a mom.
So this Mother’s Day and those that come after I will refuse to think inside the box and limit the calling God has placed on women’s hearts. I will celebrate the heart of women who look beyond their own wants to see the needs of others.
I am thankful for the women related by blood who have raised me with love and to love, and I am thankful to those women related by His blood who encourage me to live for Him.
Happy “Mothers” Day
Lisa, I am sorry for you loss. My own sister is a treasured aunt to my 2. She is also mother to 5 children, all of whom she lost before 20 wks of pregnancy. My heart always hurts for her and other mothers who have experienced loss because it is not a Hallmark kind of day for you or her or the others who feel your pain. My prayers reach out to you today. May the God of all comfort soothe you today. ((Blessings))
Oh Carol Anne, my prayers of comfort for your sister’s heart. I pray that she knows the peace of looking forward to the joyous reunion with them in His presence in Heaven. Thank you for your prayers and thoughtfulness.
Ok, this isn’t the tear jerker I was expecting, but still a tear jerker. I love you, Lisa and am thankful for you.
This time last year, I was pregnant with number 5, but lost my sweet baby in June. It’s hard at times to think that I could be sitting here holding an almost 5month old.
I wonder if our sweet babies have met each other and are praising God together in Heaven the way we are on earth until we are all reunited one day…
There are no coincidences…
Thank you Lena. <3 I often wonder that about our lost children, if the precious children of the women I've met who've faced loss might all know each other in Heaven already. It's kind of awesome to think. I'm so sorry that your little one is not on your lap instead of in your heart.
It is awesome to think, isn’t it? I know I say it a lot, but I love you, Lisa. You are such an amazing person. <3
Oh Lena, anything good or encouraging in me is because of Him. I am so thankful that He allowed our paths to cross. <3
Lisa,
A beautiful post. Just thinking today about Mary and how she lost a Son…our Savior. What a great gift we have because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Sorrow is only for awhile. We have such great joy to look forward to because of our hope in Christ. I am glad we are related “by His blood” indeed!
Thank you Mindy. During Miranda’s first day of life while we prayed earnestly for her to live my husband felt God spoke to his heart and said, “I know what it is like to watch my child die.” There is great comfort in knowing that He knows ALL of our trials. I thought of Mary, Christ’s mother, on Miranda’s last day of life as I held her broken body while she passed into eternity. I felt that anguish of inability to rescue my child. We all look forward to the glorious day that all of this pain disappears when we are complete in communion with Him in Heaven.
I know we met briefly at 2:1, and I must admit that this is my first visit to your blog. I’ve spent the last few minutes {ok….at least 45!} reading your posts about Miranda. You are so blessed to have the ability to write with such love and compassion!
Thank you Aurie. Thank you for reading her (our) story. <3 I am blessed to have a way to share honestly with those around us His goodness through the worst of circumstances. I'm glad we met, however briefly, and look forward to getting to know you better next year! 😉
Sorry I’m only catching up now. So lovely to see you seeking for growth through the pain. Love and prayers!
Thank you for encouraging words my friend. Love you and think of you often, especially for this weekend.