Happy Mother's Day

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, and today I have been thinking about how becoming a Mom has changed my life. My oldest will be 18years old at his next birthday, and I know I am not ready to say goodbye to him as "my boy".

I recently read Ann Voskamp's blogpost, and she articulated it so well, watching the boy become a man; or we have blinked and he HAS become a man. Next year this time, my son will be graduating highschool and once again, this family will enter a time of transition. The time sure does go by fast, and to rewind and do some of it again would be nice, but that is just a dream

The day I became a mother my life changed forever. No longer was life only about me but there were others that I was responsible for. It is fair to say that nothing of this world has changed my life the way becoming a mother has. In the quiet of today, I was thinking about some mothers of the past.

Let's take Eve - the first mother. Imagine not having anyone to share their experiences with you? With noone to tell her what giving birth was going to be like? No books to read with tips to get your baby to sleep better; when to expect the first steps; when you should hear the first words etc ... I suppose there were no concerns that Cain and Abel may "be delayed in development"; as there were no charts of expectations to go by. (What a relief if you ask me!)

With Easter just past, as a family we watched the movie "The Passion of Christ". With that movie still on my mind I couldn't help but think of the mother of Jesus - Mary. This young woman chosen to be the mother of Jesus; put herself aside for the call of God, for the little one inside of her. What an example to all of us.

Somedays the responsibility of being a Mother seems very overwhelming (and sometimes even a thankless job). As my children have entered new stages, the unknowns are many, but (as I blogged about yesterday) this too keeps me dependant on Jesus!

I am so thankful for being a woman and being given the role of a Mom. I do not claim to be perfect, but I know that each of my children will grow up knowing that I have loved them, and more importantly, I have tried hard to be a good example of the need to trust and depend on God.

Tomorrow, I am aware that some of you will have the wounds of pain opened as you celebrate Mother's Day with one missing from the dinner table; or perhaps tomorrow will bring the reminder that your womb has yet to ever be filled. I wanted to acknowledge you today. I have been there crying as yet another cycle has come and gone with no signs of ever being pregnant again. It is a pain I know that you wish you could blink your eyes and ahve it go away. However, in your pain, please let me say thank you to you and to wish you Happy Mother's Day as well. For although some of you have yet to "birth" a child; you have "mothered" many. To you, I say a HUGE thank you for all the many lives you have poured into. The many people you have loved and nurtured out of choice and with no obligation.

I meet with many women in a week, and many times in their personal stories I hear of how godly women (whom they were not related to) stepped in and spoke into their lives; showering them with love and encouragement.
Please know that you are a blessing to many!!

So to all the lovely women out there - Happy Mothers Day! Enjoy your day, know you are loved and appreciated. To my Mom, Thanks for giving me life!

That's all for now,

Jacqueline