Mother’s Day is a special day of tribute for every woman who has had the privilege to be someone’s mother. A mother can be someone who gave birth to a child. She can be someone who has chosen to adopt. She can be someone who has no children of her own, but is called Mother by someone she has given love and care to when they needed it. Mother is more than a title, it is the embodiment of the person we are.
pic: care.com
Believe it or not, motherhood doesn’t happen overnight. The process begins from the very start of a girl’s life. When a young girl plays with her baby dolls, she instinctively becomes a mother. When she gets her first puppy or kitten she intuitively becomes a mother. When a girl becomes a teenager she observes her own mother and decides if that is the kind of mother she would like to be. When she grows to be a young woman she decides if, and when, she is ready to meet the challenge of a lifetime…Motherhood!
pic: mercatornet.com
It is a rare thing for a woman to go into motherhood with confidence. We read books and search the internet for information. We join online chat groups and blogs to get more details. We talk to friends and family and get confused because everyone has their own idea of how to do it and no one does it the same. In the end, we find the way that seems best for us and hope that we do it right. But the best way to learn anything in life is to find someone who has done it well and learn from them. No matter where life takes us, there is always someone that comes into our lives that we respect and admire. Their lives challenge us to become better people and better mothers.
My own mother left her three young daughters to find another life that she thought would be more fulfilling. She never found it. Years later, one by one, the relationship with her daughters was restored and she found no greater joy than the love and pride she had for us. She always had the title of Mother, but she only truly became one when she chose to sow into our lives day in and day out with love. I didn’t have a good family role model growing up, but I had a deep desire to do it right when it was my turn to build a family. I learned from others, made mistakes like others, but I can truly say that being a mother has been the greatest privilege of my life.
pic: whitewolfpack.com
Life is about choices and so is being a mother. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to be the best person you can be. Then find other women who can challenge you to go the distance with excellence. Long before I ever found someone who could be a role model for me, I found a woman that I wanted to be like. Her name is Eshet Chayil, a woman of valour. She has been an example of excellence to women for 3,000 years. She is described by her husband like this:
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
pic: Compassion.com
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:10-31
The Mother’s Day challenge: Read these words from Proverbs over and over. Let them sink into your heart. Let them become the road map for your life. Let every fiber of your being desire for your family and friends to call you, Eshet Chayil, a woman of valor. And when they do, you will find it to be the greatest honor you could ever receive. Happy Mother’s Day!
