It Ain't Easy

I see them every day.  Younger, older and in-between. They all have that same steel glint that comes out of the corner of their eyes. Their focused gaze that means business.  They don’t mess around. They don’t give an inch.

They are mothers.

These mothers are the unsung heroes of homework helpers, boo-boo fixers, untangling of hair, fixing of toys and various other jobs that if I were to write them all down, the list would resonate with your soul.   

Because you who are mothers, have been there.

You know what it takes to get those kids out the door every morning. It may all start out sweet and nice and then in a flash, the tables can turn and all bets are off. Just to get them out the door….where is the cooperation?

When it’s time to eat and you have prepared that one healthy meal a day…that’s all we ask…just a little bit of health at the table…and no one wants to recognize what it takes to put together…where is the thankfulness? 

The all day task of not only washing the clothes, but folding AND putting them in the correct rooms, on the correct bed, only to find them that evening on the floor or worse….back in the dirty clothes basket….where is the gratefulness? 

Where is the “Thank you, Mother for the multitude of tasks you perform for me very day.  Thank you for selflessly giving of yourself and all your worldly goods to make my day easier. I appreciate the endless deeds you work together for my good.”

More than likely, it will be a while before you hear that. Maybe not exactly that. But it will be good. Trust me.

I’m looking at motherhood…the raising years…from the backwards glance. It was good. It was fun. It was tiring and it was heart-wrenching at times.

And worth every, single, solitary second.

When you feel like all you do is clean up, wipe up, dress up and get up…it’s true. That’s what you do.  Many times this goes without anyone even noticing that you are tired, not feeling well, and generally DONE.

But, look, it doesn't last forever.  The numberless practices, the never-ending lessons, the friends coming over, the “Can we have a party?”….it all comes to a crashing stop one day and you will look back and wonder where the time went.

God is merciful towards mothers.  He gives us moments that will resonate in our hearts forever. He knits our souls with those pint-sized beings that He gives us and we are forever lost to their magnetism. 

Mothering is hard. Mothering is work. Mothering is more than you can imagine and less than you fear it will be. 

I watch these young mothers and their children and my heart tenderly goes out to them.  I want to say:

It’s ok…go ahead and cry when you need it.  

Don’t worry about the house. Be with those children.

Take adventures.

Snuggle and cuddle….a lot.

Read them books and watch their imagination soar.

Do the unexpected. That’s the fun they will not forget.

Pray over them. Quote Scripture over them.

Tell them your story. It’s part of theirs, as well.

If they get a bad grade, it’s fine. Help them see that failure is not their permanent identity.

Create expectations for them and help them reach them.

Listen to their stories. Their dreams are wrapped up in those.

Look in their eyes. You will look into their adult eyes one day soon enough.

Tell them they are loved, no matter what happens.

Don’t let them associate everything you do with work. They just want you. Not your job.

I sent my daughter this shirt…

It is as true a statement as I know.  I have watched her in the throes of motherhood for 14 ½ years now.  She is the mother of four, hopefully soon to be six.  Anyone can guess that life is busy.  She is the Engineer of their home, keeping everyone organized, color coordinated, shoes on and getting to places they need to go with everything they need. It is a thing of beauty to watch the process. 

I have kept The Treasures at times while their parents are away. I know the rigorous schedule that has to be kept. It is constant. There is no down time until all are in bed. Then, there is still work to do.  The van was our home on wheels as we went from one assignment to another.  She runs such a tight ship that the children know exactly what to do and when it has to be done. 

It’s mothering at its best. You see, she “bossed” her dolls around as a child, and her brothers when they came along. She has been in training for Mommin’ her whole life.  It is now all coming to fulfillment. She’s good at what she does. I’m not saying perfect. None of us are and certainly no mother ever feels she is. I’m saying, she is good at mothering.  She makes mothering look good.  Not easy….just good. And that is a reflection of our Heavenly Father. 

These young mothers have a rough road trying to school, keep the home, tend to children and still be a wife all at the same time.  We should be encouraging them and cheering them on every chance we get. After all, wouldn't some of us want to go back to the “little ones” time of our lives, even for a minute?  Maybe just a minute J.

 With Mothers Day coming soon, thank a mom.  Thank your mom. Thank a mother of any age, because being a mother is hard work.  It is time consuming and heart wrenching. It is also the best job in the world.  And it goes by very quickly. 

To my sweet girl---You are a better mother than I could have ever hoped to be.  It is my great joy to watch you do what you were made to do by God, Himself.  Happy Mothers Day! Today and every day.