Sunday, May 9, 2010

The Heart of a Mother


Two of our girls and our daughter in law are mothers now. I became a mother at 22. Feeling Brad's movements made me a mother before his birth and significant things occurred immediately after his birth. After pushing for an hour or so (first two babies - natural childbirth) I held him as I sat on the gurney. Our kind doctor said, "He has two thumbs on one hand." I said, "Oh, what do we do about that?" The doctor's response, "When he's eighteen months old, he can have surgery." My answer, "Hmmm. Okay." This was my first experience with motherly concern. Yes, less than ten minutes into "motherhood" I experienced this holy love and worry. Smile. God had begun to grow my mother's heart. I did not pass my babies around for everyone to hold. I was a mother bear, quite compelled to protect my cubs. In the first few years of parenting, I experienced awed surprise. How did I, a selfish and fearful girl, set aside my own concerns and turn into a mother? How? How did I figure out that because our children only had one mother, I had better strive to be a good one? How did those huge surges of affection present themselves and astound me, encourage me, and motivate me? I'm looking at Mary's words, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." The angel had just told her, "For nothing is impossible with God."
My heart, forever knit with His, forever knit with our sons and daughter's hearts, and forever knit with other mothers' hearts. The mother's heart is unexplainable, the call is ultra holy, and the privilege is a woman's opportunity. My friend Elaine has not given birth but she has loved elementary school kids and teenagers with a mother's heart and she loves all her friends with a nurturing spirit. Robin, a blog friend in Ohio, adopted her two sons and has given her mother's heart with huge joy unspeakable. Sue, a gracious soul, had one baby. She loves her son and gives that same mother love to everyone around her and gave it to students before she retired. Kari mothers people with her wise and gentle words and before that she loved school children, too. The mother's heart is a miracle. Happy Mother's Day.





23 comments:

Sue McPeak said...

Dear Karen,
I am once again in awe of your Amazing Grace! I'm so honored to be your friend and mentioned among the 'Mothers of Heart'. Much love and happy wishes on this Mothers Day...May 2010.
Love,
Sue

A garden just outside Venice said...

Each time I visit you, I'm amazed by your words! Happy Mother's Day to you! xxx Michela

Robin said...

What a lovely Mother's Day post! Motherhood is filled with emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other. The strength of a mother knows no bounds. We ride the waves - up and down - and continue to give and love. Happy Mother's Day to you!

SusanB-knits said...

Happy Mother's Day! Have a great day!

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Oh hello Pom Pom, I didn't know it was Mother's Day at yours. We had it in March here. Have a wonderful day all you lovely Mums. I enjoyed your words so much today

Have a good week
Carolyn ♥

Gigi said...

Lovely, touching, meaningful words from your 'big as all outdoors' heart -- as always, Miss Pom!
Happiest Mother's Day to you & wishing you the brightest blessings & lots and lots of angels,
G

magsmcc said...

Oh Happy Mothers Day to you, dear bloggiste and friend! Your encouragement has meant so much to me and this post encapsulates all the wisdom and love and joy that emanates from you. You are a mother to mothers! And your generations are blessed!

Elaine said...

Thank you dear friend. I loved reading this post...your words touched me and made me cry...you always use your words so powerfully...they are always full of encouragement, questions, wonder, thought, and much love!!! Love you!

libbyquilter said...

good morning and Happy Mother's Day Pom Pom~!~

you do have lovely words and thoughts to share with us today . . . being a mother (having a mother's heart) is such an amazing gift isn't it~!?!~ i've always told my daughter that we celebrate this holiday backwards; we should be honoring those that have given us the great blessing of that mother's heart~!

:)
libbyQ

Sherry from Alabama said...

Such a sweet and lovely post. Hope you can visit my blog today for my special Mother's Day post.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

Vicki said...

Hello, dear PomPom,
Such a beautifully sweet post. You captured a mother's heart so wonderfully with your wise words. I hope you have had a lovely day with those you love and hold near to your heart. Love always~ Vicki

Kari of Writing Up A Storm said...

Oh, Pom Pom, I have finally made it back to the blogging world after such a hectic week, and am touched beyond words to find myself so lovingly included here with all the mothers of the world ~ thank you, you mother bear you!! I am going to tuck this post this instant right inside my heart. Bless you!! xoxo Kari

Leslie said...

I hope you have had the loveliest of days, Pom Pom! (((hugs)))

Charlotte said...

Ah... I hadn't realised it was Mother's Day in the US. We have it much earlier over here.

Just to let you know that yes, Humphrey loves mint.

He loves all herbs I think :-)

Hope all is good with you,
Love Charlotte
x

Gumbo Lily said...

Sweet tribute to the mother's heart. I loved it. I, too, was a Mama Bear and didn't like playing "pass the baby." I was very content to be at home without venturing out much. Sweet days.

Happy Mother's Day dear Pommy!

Jody

GwendolynKay said...

You write beautifully... I enjoyed this very much. I remember how much love I felt when my son was born. I believe as parents we have a glimpse of how much God loves us all.
Blessings
Gwen

Anonymous said...

I hope your Mother's Day was filled with love and joy overflowing! You share so much love and sweetness Pom Pom ~ your children are especially blessed!

Have a lovely week!
Sharon

lighting said...

Your words are beautiful and I'm glad I stumbled onto your blog today. Like you I have always felt like motherhood was such a blessing. All I ever wanted was to be a mother. Mine are grown now & give me grandchildren that are as special as their parents. Life is good.

Left-Handed Housewife said...

I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day! Thank you for your wonderful note. Your family is so blessed to have you, and I feel blessed by your friendship.

xofrances

debbie bailey said...

And a very, happy, belated Mother's Day to you! This post was very touching and thoughtful. There really is nothing like a mother's love, is there? It's frightening in its intensity.

Bradley W. Maston said...

Lovely post! Thank you for giving birth to me and loving me with His love. Thank you also for instilling in us the love of books. Happy Mothers day, you wonderful mother!

The dB family said...

Such a beautiful and encouraging post! Happy Mother's Day to you Dear Pom Pom!

Blessings!
Deborah

Mermaids of the Lake said...

That was beautiful!

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