My older kids live out of state, and my teenage son won't be back from his cousin's until this afternoon, and my own mother passed away several years ago. So for the first time in almost 30 years, I'm sitting alone here this Mother's Day morning and won't have a child next to me in church today.Having this solitary time got me thinking about other women I know who aren't birth mothers or adoptive mothers, and are home without children but are mothers just the same. One example is my best friend. Jane never had children of her own, either by birth or adopted, and yet she has more than I could ever dream of. She's the principal of a school for cognitively and physically impaired young adults, and these children of hers are always on her mind. Jane is one of those educators who is passionate about what she does, always trying to make things better, dreaming about future endeavors with her students and the community, giving support and motivation to all her teachers, and hugs and attention to the students as she walks down the hallway. Her life's passion is wrapped up in the 100 plus "children" that belong to other mothers.
And so today, I'm celebrating all mothers. Those who have kids of their own, and those whose lives are passionately dedicated to children, including my daughter Kelly, who brings such joy, life and creativity to teaching a classroom of fifth graders and tutoring children after school. Happy Mother's Day to you all.
11 comments:
yes.... i expanded my view as well today.... thinking of all the mothers who have lost children, and all the children who have lost mothers. thank you anne for looking beyond your own life, into the lives of others. you are such a beautiful woman....
Darla, my beautiful friend, what a joyful surprise to "see" you here. I'm not surprised that we were having the same thoughts today. Apparently Randee and Norka have had them too, as this very thing was part of Randee's Pink Collar Club newsletter I read this afternoon. I love when God sends messages like that to several people at the same time! And Darla, I think you're such a beautiful woman too.
Dear Darla and Anne,
After a busy day, I felt compelled to add a Mother's Day message to The What If ... Women blog and what do I find? Anne's post and Darla's reply. How beautiful.
Anne, can you believe the parallel of our message today? Wow. Is God trying to tell us something? Hallelujah for all the mothers out there...both biological and spiritual! God bless you both.
Randee, it's really quite incredible that you were writing about Julie today as I was writing about Jane, the similarities they both have as spiritual mothers. Yes, it really was a "wow" God moment. I'm going to remember this next year when we're helping to plan the creative worship elements for church. I'm sure there are spiritual mothers out there who would be so touched to get the recognition as mothers that they don't often receive. Bless them.
Ladies, I must say, again, that you move me. While I'm sitting here wishing I could conquer my insomnia, I'm getting encouragement and spiritual food from you ladies. As Anne knows, and maybe the rest too, today was a little sad for me because my mother is gone, but it's so wonderful to be able to remember that she was a woman of infinite value, because she was created as such. Even before she was mother. I've come to realize that being a mother is only one aspect of what God calls us as women to be, and to do. And that there are certainly more ways than one, to be a "mother." (I have adopted a few mothers myself the last couple years.) :) I also have a friend that has not been able to carry any of her own children to term, but recently became guardian to a wonderful little boy, and to see her want to do her best to raise him up in the Christian faith (she is a new believer too) is touching beyond words. I had to forward Randee's piece to her today (I too read it much earlier.) just so she knows how much I admire her. God bless all of you. You all have beautiful souls, and thank you again Anne, for your words of encouragement to me the other day.
I had a thought right after posting my last comment. I don't wish to usurp your blog or anything, but I got to thinking...What if we could look back without regrets??? Any thoughts on that one?
Well, it looks as if we have struck a cord here on spiritual mothers. The piece that I sent out on this topic of spiritual mothers struck a cord to the women of Costa Rica recently. You see, it was part of the speech that I gave a A Real God For Real Women International Conference this past April. I had many comments from the women of this conference on my speech but this one section was referred to over and over again. We, as women, have a natural instinct to mother. It's a God-given gift. It's universal.
For those of you who haven't read this piece, you may view it at http://pinkcollarclub.org/blog when you have a moment.
Thank you for your feedback on this topic. It's so important. God bless all the spiritual mothers of this world!
Oh, and Shalene, your idea on regrets if awesome. If someone doesn't run with this, I will on my next turn to post!
Kudos!
Shalene, what a great idea bout regrets - I'll let Randee take that one, and really look forward to reading it. Shalene, it's such a blessing having you a part of this discussion.
Thank you Anne for helping me expand my view as well to others for Mothers Day. You truly are a beautiful woman.
Shalene, I hadn't looked at your comment until after I made my post but I sort of talked about looking back with no regrets but just didn't say it in those words. It is indeed a great topic to ponder.
Lori,
You jumped ahead of me! And, I am touched by your post. Good stuff.
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