I had the thought of writing a blog in honor of Mother’s Day this week. But this blessed mama has found herself in the midst of the choice to be present in other moments; moments of laying my hands on the backs of my sons to pray for and comfort them while they puke in a bucket…while I wipe up diarrhea and start baths to clean the mess. Moments to simply lay quiet next to each one as they lay still before the next bout (because it was my turn the week before and I know exactly how they feel). Moments to disinfect and wash sheets and clothes contaminated with the viral germs that could so easily lead me into chaos but instead remind me of what love is. Moments to live in the present moment as a mother; the most fulfilling experience of my life.
Just thinking of the gift of motherhood brings me to tears. I look at them and say “Oh this is how much God loves me.” It’s what I always wanted to do, and to top it off, I’ve been graced to live it out 24/7. I’ve been graced to live along side their every moment as this homeschooler unlearns the forced rhythms of forcing to fill them (as if they were an empty mold to be shaped into my delusional form), and learn instead to flow with the unforced rhythms of grace that allow us to experience a passion for real life and a love for learning together, simply because they already are a masterpiece. I’ve been graced to have a heavenly husband who, like me is not perfect, but has chosen to work above and beyond so I can most often go-it-alone at home because I want to.
And so I’ve chosen, I choose, to live in this moment, in the present (which is not always the case but may I continue to grow in this grace) knowing that my Father’s grace is sufficient for me. That I am held in the arms of Grace Himself and that while none of the bad stuff comes from Him, The Master Artist chips away at all my striving, illusions and lies to highlight and leave in its place Truth, beauty and a greater capacity to receive and give His love.
And so, as I write this (and the moment permits as my babies are asleep), I pray for all of you glorious mommies out there who are wiped out and weary. Who don’t want presents for Mother’s Day or to wait for your name to be called for seating at some busy restaurant. But for those who need to hear that every single sacrifice and moment of your motherhood is known, delighted in and matters more than you know. Yet that same Grace whispers to you, “You don’t have to have it all together. It’s never about what you do or how you’ve failed to do what you think you should’ve done. It’s not about living by a list of rules but by taking the risk to trust Me. It’s about you being loved right where you are, just as you are.”
Jesus, the One Who perfected you in His perfect sacrifice so that you would never have to perform for perfection again declares, “It’s about letting go and living in the joy, and yes, even in the sadness of the present moment that is graced with My perfect presence of peace because the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do is to “do” life with you in sweet communion as you let Me bring you increasingly into the “exceedingly abundantly above all you can ask or imagine.” (See Eph. 3:16-21)
And to that beautiful mommy, I add nothing more but to wish you a sacred and satisfying Mother’s Day…minus the false expectations…plus the sweet surprises of expected joy in unexpected moments.
Hey, look at that…I wrote a blog. Gotta go…mommy duty (aka. labor of love) calls.
Happy Mother’s Day. Be blessed…and don’t forget to rest in His love.
Annalee Reyes
As always, I love reading your blogs! Happy Happy Mother’s Day! I love you ?