Mothers

With Mother’s Day coming up and my wife reminding me it is time for my obligatory blog update, I thought I would spend some time talking about Moms.

 First, adoption update: Still waiting.  I am a person that really dislikes being in in-between states.  I walk fast, don’t like to start and not finish something, I’m impatient, and impulsive.  This is all funny because it usually acts in direct conflict with my analytical side that wants to look at all the details of any decision.  All of this to say, I am in a constant in-between state these days and feel like a schizophrenic cat.  I don’t know when we are going to get the email to drop everything and travel to Ukraine and it is a bit unraveling.  Prayers needed as we are waiting.  Also, I didn't know that nesting wasn't confined to biological children.  Wendy is a doer. Add a bit of nesting to that, and we have done  a lot.(she continues to remind me there is still some doing yet to be done)  I won’t go into much detail here, but we have gotten a lot of projects completed or well on their way.  Wendy happens to be a mother, so that was the segue…

What can I say about mothers?  Without them we would be lost.  Constant running noses with no one to wipe them, food all over the sides of our faces, mismatched clothes on, booboo’s unkissed, hair in a constant lumpy pony tail (if it even makes it that far), teeth left unbrushed, one shoe on the wrong foot, no coats on to keep warm, no veggies in diet… And that’s just me (I had long enough hair in college for the pony tail at one point if anyone needed to know).  Don’t get me started on my kids. (Thanks  Mom!)

I went to find some inspiration for this blog in some quotes about mothers.  I found some that were sweet:

·         “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”

-George Washington

    

   “Men are what their mothers made them.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

  “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.”

Abraham Lincoln

     “God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.”

Jewish Proverb

Some Funny:

       “The greatest love is a mother's; then a dog's; then a sweetheart's.”

Polish proverb

      “Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own.”

Aristotle

         “Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly.”

Ambrose Bierce

        "The worst feature of a new baby is its mother's singing."

Kin Hubbard

        "There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it."

Chinese Proverbs

Some Biblical:

         “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”

Proverbs 15:20

      "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:26-31

 Ok, stop right there… I don’t know about you, but I am glad there is nothing written (to my knowledge) in the Bible that puts fathers up to that type of standard.  I am a “put expectations low and outperform” type of guy.  I started my first date off with Wendy by telling her “I am going to apologize in advance for the bad meal, dull movie, and awkward silence” (Ok, no I didn't,   but in retrospect it could have helped out).  It is obvious that God expects a lot out of mothers and those types of expectations frighten me.  You carry a child for 9 months. You have an innate ability to know when your child needs attention or a hug.  You are the driving force behind any well put together household. You show love unconditionally to your children. And usually you receive no appreciation. (Sorry Mom, Wendy)

It is my personal opinion that we all need to show our mother’s (and wives) more appreciation.  I believe Billy Graham would agree with me:

·         “Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.”

Billy Graham

Here is a challenge to everyone that has a mother in their life, be it their own or their wives.  Check your motivation for your actions, remember the small things, and return the unconditional love.  If you need a reminder of what love is....not the emotional, not the sensual, not the heart flutter, not the “you gave me something” love...refer to the greatest source of wisdom:

        “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

If you do not give your mom or wife anything else for Mother’s Day, give them the promise that you will try and recognize all the special things they do for you and your children, and you will work on showing them the type of love outlined above.