Don’t you just love it when there’s a little voice trailing behind you saying, “Mom – mom, mommie, mother, ma, mom, mom, mom?  Little ones are constant sources of questions, needs, demands and wants.  “I want a cookie,” “I want a new dress for prom,” “Can’t you just write a check for it? “I need a cookie,” “Where are my socks?” “Why don’t you answer me?”  “You never listen!”  “Where’s my cookie?” “Can you drive me to gymnastics?” “Do we have any cookies?”

Most of the time you don’t even get a full question.  All you receive is the word MAAAAAHHHHM!!!  The reiteration of that word a thousand times a day can become like a constant dripping.

Kids are born in need of the warmth of your body, the sense of love and belonging, the comfort of your touch.  They also need your protection, your guidance, your discipline, your rules, but more than anything they need YOU.

We learn at an early age how children come to be, but unfortunately they don’t include an instruction manual.  You can buy hundreds of books on child rearing and dealing with the problems and joys of parenting.  You can get advice from most people about how to raise a child – but many of them have never had one of their own.  Parenting comes with its own set of rules.

When you’re a young mom you deal with bruises, scuffed egos, falling down, getting back up, teaching as much as they can absorb and praying that you’re doing it right.    Most of the time it’s a fly by the seat of your pants experience.

Being a mom includes cleaning vomit off your nice, new black dress.  It means getting up in the middle of the night to calm a child who has had a bad dream or a fever.  It includes dirty diapers, blood, sweat and a whole lot of tears.  It requires patience, a loving spirit, time, sleepless nights, support, coffee and the knowledge that you are not alone. Giving your children a firm foundation through the Word of God will give them the only handbook you or they will ever need.

We as moms should always realize that our children are on loan to us.  It is not our job to be their friend, to create an aura of entitlement or to reward them when they don’t deserve it.  Moms are nurturers – providers – teachers – motivators – examples for their children.  Under your watch you’re responsible for their spiritual welfare along with their physical needs.   Give them the tools they need to protect them from bullies, those who would lead them down a dark path – something to hold onto for the rest of their lives.

When I have an ache or a cold or a need for a hug, my thoughts always go to my mom.  When I have a problem that she could help with, I long to have her help.  When our moms are no longer in our lives there is an emptiness beyond compare.  I still want my Mommie. I know we will see each other again in eternity, where we will share God’s greatest gift.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR MOTHERS. THEY ARE AMONG THE MANY GIFTS YOU GIVE EACH OF US.