Cosmos and Sky, by Melissa Agustin, Chiang Mai, Thailand
In Christ alone, I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory, let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope is Christ alone.
- Brian Littrell
Today is Mother's Day.
There's so much that I could say about being a mother, especially now that I am not only a mother, but also a mother-in-law, and a grandmother.
Forty-five years ago, on May 9, my first-born son was born. That date marked the beginning of my motherhood journey. First Born Son was born at 4:30 o'clock in the morning. An hour later, back in my hospital room at the Lady of Mercy, I saw a beautiful pink glow spreading across the dawn sky. Seeing it from my bed, fresh from the awesome experience of giving birth, that sunrise spoke to me of wonderful things in store as I was about to embark on a new journey. The journey of motherhood.
As mothers we all have had dreams and lofty ideals regarding our children even before they were born. The nine months preceding the actual birth gave us ample time to prepare ourselves emotionally, spiritually, physically... including the practical matters of buying baby things, preparing the nursery, and all those other details too many to mention. Our hearts were filled with joyous expectation for the child still unborn.
But no matter the preparation we may have done, nobody is truly adequately prepared for motherhood. It is a hands-on learning. We learn motherhood as we go.
As a first-time mother filled with love and plans for my son, and a heart brimming with nothing but good intentions, I realized years later the numerous mistakes I made in bringing up not only my first born, but the second, and the third child as well.
And that is my first realization -- that motherhood is a journey in humility. I had to admit that I needed God's guidance to be a mother that would bring up a child who was not emotionally damaged from all the mistakes I had made bringing him up.
There would be redeeming moments in the years to come. And that is the second realization - that motherhood is all about redemption. Despite our best intentions, we all have fallen short. There are things we have done in the past that can never be undone, only redeemed.
And this is my greatest hope: that it is okay to be an imperfect mother, it is okay to be a mom who does not have it all together. Jesus died on the cross to redeem me and my children from my inevitable errors in being their mother.
Motherhood is all about a journey of doing the best thing you know, yet in the end it is most of all being transformed from glory to glory.
There are many shining moments in this motherhood journey. In spite of all the sleepless nights and the day-to-day dying to self in nurturing your children, there comes a day when you have safely brought them over to the other side. You watch them graduate, pursue their dreams, get married, begin to raise their own families.
They are doing well, and you find yourself saying, "I have not done too bad after all."
And you beam with pride. Yet you can only say, with much humility, "With the help of God, and by His grace alone, I have brought forth a child."
Now that my children are all grown, with careers and families of their own, still I take no credit for what they have become. It's all by grace and by grace alone.
And for mothers who are struggling, mothers with wayward and rebellious children, just remember, it is a journey of redemption. God is not finished yet.
Motherhood, above all, is a journey of hope.
And yes, motherhood is a journey of prayer, of humility, of utter dependence on God. It is a battle for the hearts and minds of our children in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation.
But after all has been said and done, the ultimate victory belongs to God alone.
Praise be to Abba Father for the honor and the privilege of being a mother.
