Life has been a bit crazy lately. {Really, when is it NOT crazy?} Our day to day happenings really haven’t changed, it’s just new things have come up causing some inner soul searching and reflecting on what I am doing or have done as a mother.
Bon Bon has been accepted to one college and is awaiting word on another. I know she is ready to start this new chapter in her life but I can’t help but think, “Have I done enough to teach her all she needs to know?” I am very aware of my shortcomings, my faults, and my lack in some areas so it amazes me that despite all of my failings God still trusts me and my husband to take care of these souls sent to us as our children.
There are days when I wonder if I have accomplished any good. You know those days, right? When the meals all seem to be bland or burnt, the laundry never seems to be caught up or the dishwasher either, and no matter how much everyone knows they are to put away what they use as soon as they are done nobody does it because taking 10 more steps was just to hard at the time. And I am as guilty as the rest. So the day ends, family prayers are said, and then the good night kisses begin. Those wonderful, sweet but sometimes sloppy pecks from little ones as they head off to their beds brings a good end to any day, even the ones you really just wish you could do over.
Your own blessed sleep doesn’t come because you are worrying over those children. Am I helping them each find their own way? Am I spending enough time with them? Do they know I love them unconditionally? Do they recognize the talents they have been blessed with, the greatness they are destined for?
So many questions. Not the least of which is “Am I up to the task as their mother?”
“A century ago [in 1809] men were following with bated breath the march of Napoleon & waiting with feverish impatience for news of the wars. And all the while in their homes babies were being born. But who could think about babies? Everybody was thinking about battles.
In one year between Trafalgar and Waterloo there stole into the world a host of heroes: Gladstone was born in Liverpool; Tennyson at the Somersby Rectory; and Oliver Wendell Holmes in Massachusetts. Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, and music was enriched by the advent of Felix Mendelssohn in Hamburg.
But nobody thought of babies, everybody was thinking of battles. Yet which of the battles of 1809 mattered more than the babies of 1809? We fancy God can manage His world only with great battalions, when all the time he is doing it with beautiful babies. When a wrong wants righting, or a truth wants preaching, or a continent wants discovering, God sends a baby into the world to do it.” {F.W. Boreham as quoted by Spencer W. Kimball}
And God sends those babies to mothers.
To women who will learn what it is to become unselfish nurturers. Whose hands will see hours of service, wiping up crumbs, drying away tears, helping little hands fold in prayer. Whose feet will swell from constant trodding back and forth while soothing a baby to sleep, chasing a toddler, or driving a teen to wherever they need to go. Whose hearts expand and contract with pride and joy and worry and heartache. Whose knees are blistered red from the hours of bending, pleading to God for help in raising those very souls that are really His and just on loan.
It is these quiet, caring women whom God calls upon to raise those innocent babies, whether they bore them or adopted them.
“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” {D&C 64:33}
The Lord is working quietly behind the scenes using mothers and babies to change the world.
Boy did I need this! Thanks 🙂
This is beautiful. I had one of those wonderful moments last week when the swirling guilt and worry paused for just a second. I was at awards assemblies at the school for my two oldest (8 and 7), and a special award was given to one child in each class who was chosen by the teacher as a student who exemplified the school’s core values of responsibility, honesty, leadership, and a positive attitude. Both of my kids were the ones chosen from their respective classes. In that moment I realized, “Okay, maybe all the fretting and careful nurturing and family prayers and little teaching moments really are doing some good! Maybe they are really becoming the people I’ve hoped and prayed they would be when I send them out into the world!” It was huge for me. We don’t get much validation as moms and it was just nice to have an objective 3rd party help me know I’m on the right track. Oh, and did I luck out or what? Kinda helps that God gave me some truly AMAZING kids!
I am searching for a word to say “Wow” that doesn’t sound trite.
This is really beautiful.
It might be your pictures, but something in this brings Elder Uchtdorf’s “Create” to mind. The obvious link is motherhood and creation, but I think there is something really amazing in what you have written here. I am going to have to be still for a while and see what it teaches me. 🙂
I LOVE that quote! It is true that we forget so often what REALLY changes the world! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
This is one of your best posts EVER.
Well said beautiful post, as usual. You amaze me in all you do. You are a wonderful mother raising generations of stalwart, faithful, strong future leaders. Not only do you home school them and teach them (very well) of our temporal world, you give them the basis of strong testimonies, and empower them with a love of the scriptures, and love of God. When you are greeted in heaven with “well done, thou good and faithful servant” there will be cheers echoed in the background.
Gracias por recordar este don tan lindo de ser madre gracias por racordarlo y maravilloso valor
Thank you for this post.
I think that my role as mother and the raising of my children is my most important accomplishment. Let’s hope I didn’t screw them up!
I’m having one of those kind of days. This was EXACTLY what I needed today. Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Truth! Beautiful truth. Those lucky babies of yours.
Beautiful post. I think all mothers wonder and worry, hope and pray. I recently found an old journal page where I lamented that I had not taught my daughters well. I was judging on the help I was getting at home. They weren’t interested enough in home and family, or so I thought. Now 7 years later they are sahms that love their children and their husbands, creating beautiful homes. Something must have worked along the way. I would guess it was not so much what I did but the many prayers on their behalf.
Aunt Sue
Thank you for reminding me of the importance of a mother’s role. In this era it is too easy to forget how important babies and their raising is. But it is the work of God, and he sends these precious souls and trusts us to love and raise them. Thank you.
Wow, one nearly off to college, another one about to be born, and all the others in between to care for. You’ve got a lot on your mind for sure! I bet Bon-Bon will miss being home to see the new baby grow up. I was kind of sad that I was off at college when my youngest sister was born. But, now she comes to visit along with my mom and she plays with my little girls. It’s a bit strange- and most people think it’s super weird, but it’s wonderful too.
Boy do we all need this reminder of our importance! I sure do on days like today. (Two words: potty training.)
Way to go for properly crediting the quote- MMM would be proud. ( :
Thank you for sharing this post. You have a wonderful way of sharing words and feelings.
That was beautiful, and exactly the message I needed right now! I’m six weeks pregnant with my fifth child and already suffering from morning sickness. Since we also homeschool, I’ve begun to feel a little overwhelmed. This post was the perfect reminder that each baby is a very important blessing to his or her family–and to the world! All the sickness and pain of carrying them in the womb is worth it (as are the sleepless nights that follow for years to come…!) And somehow, one day at a time, I’ll get through these next nine months! 😉 Thanks SO much for your wisdom and encouragement!
Thank you for this beautiful post. I’m having #6 any day now and I’m not mentally ready for the requirements of a newborn. Mostly nursing. How I loathe nursing. Sigh. But . . . this was a beautiful reminder of why I do what I do. Thank you, thank you.
I have been having a week just like you described. I can’t count the number of times I’ve apologized about the appearance of my house this week. Reading this, you have reminded me about what is really important again and I am shifting my thinking today back to those important things in life. My kids. Thank you.
As always, you find a way to beautifully state the thoughts of your heart. I refuse to believe, however, that your home ever sees a burnt meal or crazy laundry stack. It’s a well-oiled machine! Now this house, well, that’s another story….