Motherhood---
is not a one-size-fits all category in life. This may seem like an interesting statement but certainly represents truth from my perspective. I have lived 43 years. During this time, I can identity (at least) four roles motherhood has played in my life. Each role is special and provides a unique outlook on a singular topic!
Motherhood--- the biological perspective. I have a biological mother. While I have never met this woman, I praise God for her willingness to give me a chance at life. For years, I had mixed feelings about my adoption. I struggled with the ever present pull between what could be and what might have been. Today, I embrace my adoption with all my heart! In fact, it's one of my favorite things about my life. You see, adoption is a picture of the gospel! I am so blessed by the fact that God, in His sovereignty and grace, challenged one woman to protect a life and she did it! My biological mother embraced her call to motherhood and I am thankful for her sacrifice and love. If you are a biological mom, know that you are loved. Your choice is valued and recognized on this mother's day weekend!
Motherhood--- the adoptive perspective. I have an adoptive mother. This woman will forever be my “real” mom. This mom held me at night when I cried, cheered for me as I grew up, and continues to share in my life experiences. I praise God for my mother and cannot imagine my life with anyone else. She is the very first person who consistently modeled the importance of faith and family. She is a woman of wisdom, grace, strength, and truth. My mother embraced her call to motherhood even though it came to her in an unexpected way. I will never take for granted the great sacrifice my mother made in order to invite me to be a part of her family. I love you, mom!! You are an absolute treasure to me and so many others.
Motherhood--- the spiritual perspective. I have a host of spiritual mothers. My spiritual mothers provide Godly wisdom as well as a daily example of how to follow Christ. By interacting with my spiritual mothers, I gain valuable life lessons that help me to avoid mistakes and accept hidden opportunities. My spiritual mothers embrace their call to motherhood as they live vulnerable lives before me and others. They pray for me or encourage me or simply find a way to be present in my life. I am thankful for my spiritual mothers and the role they play in my life. To my spiritual mother's: You know who you are and I want you to know I am so blessed by you!
Motherhood--- the mom perspective. Finally, I am a mother. This role, more than any other, has changed my life. I love being a mom! More than that, I love how being a mom has changed me. Through mothering, I have been challenged to embrace love, patience, kindness, and self-control in a completely new way. While none of these traits are natural to me, I have a great desire for love, patience, kindness, and self-control to be a part of my daily life. I long for this to happen so that Jake and Andrew will see up close that I love Jesus and that Jesus changes me. For years, I took the approach of "project manager" with my boys. Today, I am at a different place. I just love being a mom who cheers for them, loves them, guides them, and listens to their thoughts and desires. Certainly there are different seasons in the mothering journey. I have tried to love and embrace all of them. Sometimes I did this with grace and other times I blew it. One thing I can say with certainty is that I LOVE my boys. Jake and Andrew, you are so loved, wanted, cheered for, and valuable to our family. Dad and I love you very much!
Motherhood certainly is not a one-size-fits all category in life. Motherhood can occur in many different forms. Whether you are a biological mother, adoptive mother, stepmother, foster care mother, single mother, spiritual mother, grandmother, or special aunt or sister, know that you too can embrace the role of motherhood in your daily life. As you embrace this role, know that God has called you to be a part of something bigger than yourself. You, dear mother, have the chance to play a vital role in the life of another. This fact makes you so very special even when you feel insignificant.
On this week's Truth on the Go Podcast, I visit with my friend Sarah Heringer. We talk "all things mom" and how you can invest in the lives of others. Check it out!
Happy Mother's Day to you. I promise you "mother" more people than you realize. For that, I am grateful! More importantly, God is honored. Enjoy some chocolate this weekend! You deserve it.
Andrea Lennon
True Vine Ministry Founder
