A mother’s sweet sacrifice

    One day in middle school, I came home feeling hurt by a friend. I don’t remember the details, but there were tears. Before bed, I talked to my mom about the situation. Just like every night, she stood beside my bed and tucked me inside the covers. She suggested we pray about it. Tender, wisdom-filled words sprang from her heart. Her presence calmed my frustrations and pain. As I think about Mother’s Day this weekend and all that my mom means to me, one of her greatest gifts has been prayer. Oh how I’ve needed it!
    In motherhood, you rarely receive accolades and praise. You may receive words of encouragement occasionally, but in the daily grind of cleaning messes, dirty dishes, staying on top of schoolwork, and tackling piles of laundry, you just don’t hear affirmation.
    You sacrifice your time, energy and whole life as you tend to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of your children. You give of yourself while you nurse a nasty nose, bandage cuts, wipe dirty bottoms, manage major meltdowns and fits, discipline unruly behavior, shepherd wayward hearts, prepare meals, clean up meals and do it all over again the next day.
    Sometimes you have to say “no” to good things and outings or shaving your legs and looking pretty so you can just meet the basic needs of your children. And when you’re not expending physical energy, you’re exerting yourself emotionally as you pray for their safety and choices.
    This sacrifice involves both joy and pain because motherhood is a daily dying to your self — giving up your life for the sake of another. Putting your child’s needs before your own. Loving him or her more than you love yourself.
 

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