I suppose you can read all the books you want about motherhood, or in today’s world, look it all up on your phone, but there’s nothing that fully prepares you for what it will be like. Sure, you can get all kinds of ideas and suggestions on all the “technical” stuff like the best sleeping habits for your baby, swaddling, when you should introduce food, etc. There’s a lot of advice out there when it comes to all those things. Some of it’s really good, and some of it’s not.
I had a mother and many amazing women in my life who were mothers and grandmothers. I loved my mother, grandmother, and all the other maternal relatives and friends I’ve had. I knew what it felt like to love them from my perspective. But no one can explain to you in a way you’ll fully comprehend the love you will have for your child. You have to experience it for yourself.
I have three children, two girls and a boy. They’re not kids anymore. They’re adults with lives of their own. I do this thing where I tell each of them, “You’re my favorite.” They know I do this, and we joke about it. Truth is, I honestly don’t have a “favorite”. I don’t even understand that concept. I love each of my children with all the love I have. They’re my children. My love for them doesn’t depend on anything they do or don’t do. I just love them. I can’t even control it. That’s just the way it is.
I remember when I was expecting my second child, I wondered how I could possibly love another child as much as I love my first. Then, my son was born (the second child), and through some miracle, I loved him as much as I loved my daughter (the firstborn). I didn’t have to try, or force myself, it just happened. It was crazy! How could I have so much love? I didn’t know I had it in me, but I did. When the third one came along, I didn’t even think about it, I just knew what would happen…and, it did. After more than 35 years of being a mom, I still love my kids just as much as the day they were born, even more.
It is one of my greatest joys and blessings in life to be a mother. There isn’t anything else like it in life. When I became a mother myself, I understood my own mother more. That was unexpected to say the least, but it also drew me closer to her. Becoming a mother changes everything. It’s been a wonderful blessing to watch my daughter become a mother herself. She’s such a good mom and loves her son so much. It’s just beautiful.
Today, I think about the mother of Christ. She was young, and not yet married, when the angel Gabriel came to tell her she would have a child, and not just any child – the Son of God. Mary didn’t protest or ask about all the problems this situation could burden her with. Mary simply said,
See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.
Luke 1:38
Soon after, she went to visit Elizabeth. Upon her arrival, Elizabeth – who was six months pregnant with John the Baptist – greeted her as the “mother of my Lord”, and Mary responded with this powerful praise:
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors.
Luke 1:46-55
Mary later had other children, and experienced all the normal difficulties and joys of motherhood. But I can only imagine what it was like to be the mother of Christ. No other mother had that experience. What I do know about Mary is that she was devoted to God and serving Him. Whether you’re a mother or not, we should all be like Mary.
I love my children. I’ve made mistakes as a mother. I’m just human. I tried to do the best I could when I was raising my kids. I just wanted them to be healthy and happy, to grow up and be able to take care of themselves, to live their own lives, find someone who loved them, and one day have a family. They’re grown now, and I have two more sons (in-law) and a grandson. I am richly blessed. I pray, as my mother did for me, that I’ve raised my children up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). That they know how much I love the Lord, how good He is, and that I serve Him. I pray they can see Jesus in me.
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Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash
So True – So well said.
Thank you! God bless.