Continue On...

As mothers, grandmothers and even great-grandmothers we all have a job to do. Some have said, "A mothers work is never done", and I believe it.  A mother knows what it's like to get everything clean, turn around and it's dirty again.  They wash endless amounts of clothes, cook meals that are scarfed down in 5 minutes flat and fix boo boo's that are causing no small amounts of pain.  All of this done while trying to be current, cool and calm.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

It's not easy to raise a family. Mothers sacrifice,  skimp, and work hard day and night.  I believe there is no assignment here on earth that needs more skill and compassion than what God requires of  mothers. They are a referee, a psychologist, a theologian, and occasional swat team.  Sometimes they have to wait 45 minutes at the pediatrician's with cranky, leaky nose children only to be told, "It's probably a virus. Take them home and let them rest".

How interesting that most mothers get the job done, and they generally do it well.  God put something on the inside of mothers that allows for all this to happen and they continue on. I believe that's what God wants from us--to continue one. Even when the work gets interrupted. Even when we feel like failures in comparing ourselves to others. Continuing on means allowing God take our shortcomings and turn them around. It means not giving in or giving up. It reminds us that these children we have for a short while were placed with us for a specific reason--to teach them about God and His greatness.

Deuteronomy 4:9-10 says:

"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children, how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, "Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth and that they may teach their children so"  

In other words, do what God has commanded you to do and continue on. Teach them to fear the Lord and all His ways. Teach them that God has worked in their past and He has a plan for their future.

Someone once gave me what is called "A Parable for Mothers". As I read it then, it reminded me of mine and my sister's journey with our mother.

A Parable for Mothers

A young mother put her feet on the path of life and asked, "Is it long?".  Her 

Guide answered, "Yes, and it is hard and you will be old before you reach the end. 

But the last is better than the first."

But the young mother was happy and the sun was shining.  She could not believe any years could be better than these.  So she played with her children along the way and gathered flowers for them and cried, "Nothing can ever be lovelier than this."

Then came the night and the storms.  And the children cried with fear and cold. She gathered them close in her arms and spread her mantle about them and the children said, "We are not afraid Mother, nothing can ever harm us for you are with us."

And that night, the mother said,"This is better than the brightness of day,  for I have taught my children courage."

And the next day there was a steep hill before them.  The children grew weary, and the mother was weary too, but she called to them, " A little patience, and we will be there."

They kept climbing and at last were at the top.  

the children said, "We could never have done it, Mother, without you."

That night the mother looked at the stars and whispered, "This day is better than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardship.  Yesterday I taught them courage, but today I have given them strength."

And the next day there were great clouds covering the earth. Storms of war, hatred, suffering and privation came upon the mother and children, and upon mothers and children all about them.  

then the other gathered her family and said, "we must now rely completely upon God. Only our Lord and Savior will see us through.  

We pray for strength to help all the unfortunate and suffering about us."

They knelt and prayed. Then they put their arms about their aging mother and said, "

we will go. You stay.  You have taught us how to live in the strength of the Lord."

The mother sat alone at last. But not really alone.  She spoke to her Guide through all the years and said, "The last is better than the first for now they have You.  Your love is in their hearts. 

We have , at last, 

THE BEST.

Continue on, Mothers, Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers.  Continue on so God's name will be honored and glorified.  

Happy Mothers Day