I was watching a reality competition show the other night and the contestants had to cross a balance beam over water. I noticed that the men kept falling off, the single gal crawled slowly on her hands and knees, and the moms scurried across like it was nothing.
I wondered why that was so. And then it hit me, moms are used to carrying a baby with a heavy diaper bag over one shoulder, while a toddler grips onto her pant leg. And somehow while doing all that we continue on working through our days. A balance beam is nothing to us!
It was another reminder to me that moms are truly the most amazing creatures on earth.
PC: Ann Kirsten
I could spend the rest of my life telling mom stories but here are just a few from my own life.
My cousin lost her wonderful husband from cancer. It was unexpected and he was the love of her life. Two weeks later, her mom passed away suddenly. And then her beloved sister lost her battle with cancer. She has every right to be bitter and angry and yet she continues to mother her adult children and grandchildren with so much love and generosity. That is strength.
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” – Isaiah 66:13
A lady I know has a debilitating disease causing her to be bedridden for long periods of time. Instead of wallowing alone in bed, her adult kids and grandkids pile on the bed with her, soaking in the love she gives out. That is a testament to the foundation of love she built into her kids.
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. – Exodus 20:12
A young friend of mine had to make the difficult decision to end her marriage after her husband’s abuse began to affect her children. Instantly, her stress level quadrupled. She had less money, her kids needed a huge amount of emotional help to recover, and she had to find a new job to make more money. On top of all that, her ex heaped horrible verbal abuse on her daily in the form of texts and emails. I have watched this young lady struggle under the crushing weight of it all. Crawling into bed would do her a world of good. Instead, she keeps going, making sure her kids have everything they need, pasting on a smile for them when all she wants to do is cry, and running the household on her own.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Her children arise and call her blessed. – Proverbs 31:25
I know grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren. At the time of life when they could be resting and enjoying old age, they are still in the trenches. They drive carpools, discipline, volunteer at school, help with homework, nurse sick kids, and shower their grands with unlimited love. They are incredible women.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. – 2 Timothy 1:5
And how about the moms who parent kids who navigate this world differently, kids who are physically challenged, or on the spectrum, or have an extra chromosome? They face challenges other mothers will never experience and yet they continue to love their children and parent them with the best they have to give (no matter how tired they are).
I have caught moms crying because their child has gone astray. After all the hard work they put in, all the faith-sharing they have done, something went wrong and their child walked away from the faith. Through the pain they continue to pray and believe. They spend countless hours on their knees, never giving up hope that their precious child will return to their faith.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6
Children are a blessing and being a mom is a blessing and yet there are times when we are overwhelmed and exhausted. There is no pause button on motherhood. Time marches on and so do we. Whether we sit by a sick child’s bed, read Bible stories, bandage a boo-boo, or forgive time and time again, moms are on active duty 24/7. It’s no wonder that we can race across a balance beam hanging over the water. In fact, what CAN’T moms do?
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. – Proverbs 1:8-9
AllMomDoes.com celebrates moms. We love moms. We are moms. Whether you need prayer, advice or even a recipe for dinner, we are here to serve you, and we’re very glad you’re here.
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Read more of Ann’s contributions to allmomdoes here.
