A Mother's Love...

I friend was relaying to me a scene at the hospital between a sick mom and her rebellious adult child.  At first I was taken back by the fact that the child, who has caused nothing but stress and grief for years, was even at the mom's bedside.  Of course the child was remorseful and looking for acceptance and wanted to reconcile with her sick mother.  The story continued to include mom and child embracing, tears flowing, and the need for multiple tissues.  Initally, I walked away from the conversation rather appalled that the child would take advantage of her sick mother to try and weasel her way back into mom's good graces.  

In another conversation with my friend, she challenged me to evaluate my relationship with my own kids. (I have two adult sons and two beautiful daughter-in-laws).   She feared that I was becoming THAT mom.  I spent two days crying and praying.  Was I becoming THAT mom?  You know, the one who's children fear her!?  The one who's kids only came around because they feel obligated!  The one who's  kids are afraid of a guilt trip if mom doesn't get her way?!?

These two conversations made me really think about what it is to be a mom.  I've realized that no one can truly understand the dynamic between a mother and a child.  I'm the mom and sometimes I don't even completely understand why I am so emotional or stubborn about some things when it comes to my kids.  Not even another mother can know and completely understand what is between my children and me.  A mother's love is not something that I can tell you about and that you apply to your life.  It's not something that can be learned from a book.  It's more than knowledge, it's more than feelings, it's more than spiritual.  A mother's love is different from generation to generation, family to family, and from one child to the next.  A mother's love is a combination of raw emotion, experience, trust, instinct, and God's grace.  A Christian mom has the blessing of being filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by faith in Christ.  A mother's love is forgiveness, acceptance, and restoration when no one else can understand why.  A mother's love is about being the biggest cheerleader and the harshest critic...occasionally even at the same time.  

Yes, I am a little crazy, yes, I can be overbearing. But my boys have assured me that I am NOT becoming THAT mom.  They told us that they genuinely enjoy spending time with me and actually look forward to seeing their parents.  (Just to be sure, my husband asked the official question....with the promise to "break it to mom easy" if needed on the boys behalf.)

I thought back to that mom in the hospital.  I imagined myself in her place.  Even after the worst of disagreements with my boys, and there have been a few hum-dingers, I've always prayed for restoration.  It's not something that "the world" would understand, but it's what a mother's love longs for.  It seems like a crazy place to put yourself, setting yourself up to be hurt, to be taken advantage of, or to end up disappointed, but for a mom, it's all worth it.  And it's a mirror of the Father's love for us!  What an example that mom is to her child, even if she doesn't realize it.  Unconditional love is a gift from God, the sacrifice of Christ, and this sick mom in her hospital bed was showing that unconditional love to her child.  

A strong family bond and time together is something I am thankful for and will try very hard to never take for granted. But, if our family should ever find ourselves in a broken place, I pray I have the strength that mom in the hospital had...a mother's love...a picture of Christ's love....and a heart to forgive.

Prayer requests - 

For many to come to know Christ this Easter season

For strength in my marriage and the marriages of my children

For restoration of health, wisdom, and a strong faith for the mom that was in the hospital

For opportunities to be a faithful believer and strong friend to those God has placed in my life