A Mother's Heart

I don't believe I ever wanted anything more than I wanted to be a mom.  I did my best to soak in every moment.  I wasn't afraid to shake things up or make things happen when it came to my girls.  I was, as they say, all in all the time.  If it was important to them - it was important to me.  I wanted them to feel loved, and enjoy life with lots of opportunities.  I also wanted other moms to be as excited about motherhood as I was.    We got involved in the "mommy and me" community, and I was happy to encourage other moms.  I loved being the one in the group that went the extra mile or seemingly had it all together, and I worked hard to maintain that persona.

I was visiting with a friend who just happened to be a young mom that I had been investing in and disciplining through the mom journey.  We were fixing lunch, and then the unthinkable!!  I had left the handle to the boiling pot turned out reachable from the stove.  Before you gasp - no, no one was burned, but I was shaken.  This sweet young mom said, "Oh my goodness, I can't believe that you -  the together mom everyone wants to be, made this mistake."  My mind and heart immediately started doing cartwheels.  

While it was definitely flattering (for about 30 seconds) that she viewed my motherhood journey this way, it was more convicting.  I was not doing myself or this mom any favors.  I was creating a persona that was impossible to maintain; it was an ideal that didn't really exist.  We grow when we can fellowship in our afflictions, and we most encourage others when we live the real example and not the world's expectations.  

I had taken this imaginary bar and set it so high that even the tallest of friends would not be able to jump it.  I was creating a disconnect between those with whom I was trying to create fellowship, which meant that I was feeding a disconnect between myself and God.  We will never measure up to who the world says we should be, but we can find peace in who God has created us to be.  It isn't about the appearance of things at all - it is about the heart that breathes life into all things.  

Lord, create in me a heart that is genuine with other moms and open to who you are, where you lead, and whom you place before me along that path.  You are my beginning but I want to live each day with you as my goal.  I want to know you and I want to share you with others.  Remove the stumbling blocks of my attitude and give me genuineness which is the stepping stone to knowing you more.  Help me be your vessel and create in me a heart that radiates YOU above all else!  Amen