In honor of Mother’s Day, here are my thoughts from my life as a mother.

Being a mother is the most challenging, frustrating, worrisome, heartbreaking, combative, disappointing, grueling, and intimidating role I’ve ever undertaken. While at the same time, this experience has brought me more joy, love, pride, care, companionship, friendship, happy memories, and family traditions, than I can count. And I’m only scratching the surface of all that filled my moments as a mother.

My first child was born when I was 21, according to plan. I did all the right things. I endured natural child birth and nursed through her first year. My daughter was my joy. But, I suffered postpartum depression and my depression journey began.

When I had graduated high school, I didn’t want to attend college, or even get a job. (I did get a job, but with each child I fought to stay home.) I wanted to marry my high school sweetheart and have two children, a boy and a girl, by the time I was 24. But life is never what you expect and never what you plan for. Over the next 11 years I gave birth to two sons and two more daughters and experienced one miscarriage.

My 21 year old self would have wondered what my 32 year old self was thinking having that many kids, but I can tell you I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love having this large family. My children truly are a blessing. (I got to visit 3 out of 5 yesterday.)

Looking to tie in scripture, I found it interesting how pain and trials in the Bible are often compared to a woman in labor, especially considering the male monopoly in writing the scriptures. Then I came across the following verse and had to laugh.

Now let me ask you a question: Do men give birth to babies? Then why do they stand there, ashen-faced, hands pressed against their sides like a woman in labor?
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭30‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Fortunately women today have the benefit of modern medicine. Even as natural as my births were, by the time I faced number five, I accepted some help. But birth is only the beginning.

I wanted to be a good mother. I worried over my children and the decisions needed to raise them. I always wanted the best for them. When they made bad decisions, I feared I had failed in some way. The parenting books didn’t come close to addressing all the complexities and sheer magnitude of decisions made in raising 5 very different souls. But even doing the best I could, I found I needed God, and I’m thankful that He is able to redeem my mess-ups.

It has long been considered that women are nurturers. Motherhood and nurturing children is a role God values. One that God uses as a high measure which He emulates in His relationship with us.

Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I lost my own mother 2 years ago. We differed in our parenting styles, but she was a wealth of experience to draw from and a source of encouragement for me as a mother. I miss having her a phone call away.

To my children: I love you, Gena, Ryan, Andrew, Chrissy, and Ariel! I’m honored and blessed to be your mom. I think you all turned out pretty well.

I hope all you mothers out there had a wonderful Mother’s Day.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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