Real-Life "Mothering":
Snapshots of the Heart and Soul
It’s Mother’s Day, but not everyone is a mother to biological children. Some of us adopt, “mother” others in extended or church family relationships, or even “mother” our pets.
Some of us “mother” our own mothers and fathers as they get older. Some of us mentor younger friends from afar, and some of us from close by. Whatever your status or feelings about “mothering”, here are some snapshots of what “mothering” others might entail…
Real Life Motherhood: Snapshots of the Heart and Soul
You’ve probably been “mothering” if you:
Freak out when they hand you that first tiny baby and realize it’s total dependence on you!
Learn what 1 Thess. 5:17 means when it says to “pray continually”.
Place the littles’ and/or parents’ doctors on speed dial.
Become thankful for mothering ministries with childcare.
Take very slow walks to collect rocks and leaves for artwork.
Take multiple walks with your own mother, struggling with dementia.
(AND convince her, again, that winter gloves aren’t needed on a hot summer day).
Watch in horror as your little one tumbles down the stairs!
(Pray in thankfulness afterward that everything seems to be alright!)
Wrestle a bottle of pills away from that same mother to keep her safe.
Shoot straight up out of bed at 3 a.m. at the sound of a croupy cough.
Wash up the carpet from the bed to the bathroom when that heaving kid couldn’t make it in time.
Call about that fever that still won’t go away or come down.
Weigh pros and cons of maintaining a career job and the balance that will require.
Organize all the things that require a household to run efficiently.
Get overwhelmed looking at your task list for the day.
(Pat yourself on the back after conquering that busy day!)
Give in to anxious tears after leaving a kid for the first day of preschool.
Referee yet another argument or fight.
Hose down a child or pet too muddy to enter the house. ;)
Join a child for lunch at school, find them in tears, and realize it was divinely orchestrated.
Clean and bandage yet another wound.
Save far too many childhood pieces of art and other treasures.
Consider it a blessing to get through a shower without anyone pounding on the door.
Try not to grin when confronted with a child declaring they’re “running away”!
(Text the next-door neighbors to expect the “runaway”!)
Hold impromptu dance parties in the kitchen.
Sit on the floor and apologize to a child because YOU lost your temper.
Apologize to a parent for nicking their skin when cutting their nails.
Become the holder of all the things, especially wrappers after snacking.
Become the finder of all the things, because you alone are the one that puts everything in its place!
Get followed into the bathroom because that tiny person or pet really needs you RIGHT NOW!
Attend school and sporting events on top of an already too-busy schedule.
Help your parent in the bathroom, because they now need that.
(Wash up your parents’ clothing and sheets, because they didn’t make it in time).
Drop what you’re doing for a chat, phone call, homework help, or advice.
Hurt for the hurts affecting your loved ones.
Learn when to make yourself scarce, and when to reach out.
Offer to make even MORE food for others in need, because of your empathetic heart.
Become the maker of family memories and holiday dinners.
Pray over that prodigal!
And Last, But Not Least!
Document the years with pictures, scrapbooks, and stories.
Realize you’ve made (or are making) a difference in someone else’s life.
Practice the art of saying good “goodbyes”— sometimes even in a graveyard.
Thank God for the promise of heaven and his faithful help down here.
"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you---never. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.” (Is. 49: 15-16, MSG).
What would you add to this list?
Let us know in the comments below!
For Worship!
*Photo by Daniel SeBler on Unsplash
Just catching up on some emails that I wanted to take my time enjoying, but bad plan to read this one in a public waiting room, as my eyes brim with tears at both the happy and tender memories. Thank you again, Jen, for sharing your wonderful gift! 🥹