As a mother of two grown children, I have had the experience of being a Mom, observing Moms, criticizing Moms and learning from Moms. But this post is not going to be about any of those things.
This post is about the change of perception with faith as life takes over.
First you are a child, being cared for by your mother. All your needs pretty much are met by her.
She holds the key to clean clothes, dinner, money for gas, supplies for a track meet, and yes; the keys to the car.
Life takes you out of chldhood and into teen years where you become more independent and you're not sure what to do about this 'Mom thing'. After all, she's done so much for you ... but now you really kinda resent her (because ... she holds all the keys). Oh, and she seems to know how to do just about everything you need to know how to do ... so you're stuck, going to your Mom when you need something ... still.
For me, I went to college, graduated, married, started teaching and coaching in a school four hours away from home. I took a huge leap into life, and it felt good.
Then it was time to cook bacon ... I had to call my Mom.
The phone calls and visits decreased due to busyness and miles between us. It was okay, we were both busy. Holidays and birthdays brought us together, but it was very quick when we would see each other.
Without the keys, where does this Mom thing go?
Perception begins to change, hmmm--I don't "need" her--I have my own keys now.
Life happens, kids are born, selfishness flurishes in this more 'needy' life of my now being Mom ... and guess what, she has a different set of keys. She shows up to help and teach and then leave once again.
From the book Captivating by Staci Eldridge "The word mother is more powerful when used as a verb than as a noun. All women are not mothers but all women are called to mother. To mother is to nurture, to train, to educate."
I remember having my hand slammed in a car door one day and my Mom rushing me to the doctor. I think she drove like a crazy woman ... I was trying not to throw up in the car ... and she would say "just take a big breath, its going to be ok". That sharing of pain, looking into your eyes and knowing your Mom would rather be you taking the pain. At that moment, we invite life in. A deeper place in our heart, I think -- a glimpse of God.
Staci agrees "We birth life in others by inviting them into deeper realms of healing, to deeper walks with God, to deeper intimacy with Jesus. All women are made in the image of God in that we bring forth life. When we enter into our world and into the lives of those we love and offer our tender and strong feminine hearts, we cannot help but mother them."
Perception ...
Mom,
Strong--Disciplinarian
Athletic--Resourceful
Stubborn--Dependable
Distant--Growing Room
Aging--Weak
Injured--Needing Me
Me,
Dependent--Weak
Growing--Failing A lot
Stubborn--Disciplined
Distant--Selfish
Strong--Relying on Faith
Caring--Changed Perception
Us,
Persistent--A Team
Finishing Strong Together--Faith
May you find God in your perception of your Mother through the eyes of strong feminine hearts, His creation. Struggle and pain may bring you there, reaching one another and finding courage, strength, deep love and caring this Mother's Day.
