When my son was born, I didn’t know that a baby can be a mom’s greatest joy and her worst nightmare. The fact that he came out screaming should have been a clue. When the nurse put that squirming, squalling bundle in my arms on the delivery table, I started singing “Jesus Loves Me.” Andres quieted down instantly, and my heart nearly burst. I’d sung that song every day during my pregnancy. As soon as I finished my song, he went right back to crying.
The next day I walked out of the hospital holding my brand new baby, with no clue about what awaited me. I didn’t know about pacing the halls with a baby at 2:00 a.m. I survived the first months of mothering, and by the time my baby was 4 months old, I felt almost human.
Most days the joy swallowed up the nightmare part. I was over the moon with delight the first day Andres said, “Mama.” I fell in love all over again when we bought him his first guitar, a painted wooden toy. He plunked himself down on the cement at the market. He strummed and crooned, “Guitar, guitar, guitar.” My heart swooned.
And when my Camilla was born, her dad and I were goners. She stole our hearts.
Although I loved being a mom, some days went south…
Follow me to Kristi Wood’s place to read the rest of my story. Kristi is a sweet friend and a talented writer. I’m honored to write for her blog today.
Linking up with Holly Barret, Kelly Balarie, Jennifer Dukes Lee, and Holley Gerth. Check our their sites for more encouragement!
photo credit: creative commons
Cheering you on, Betsy, and looking forward to reading the rest of the story over at Kristi’s. : ) #RaRaLinkup
Thanks so much!
I love this! God gave me the gift of being a mother because it is a beautiful way to honor Him in all you do. I tell my sons all the time that it is my honor to be their mom and who I am is made better because I am a mom. Thank you for your story of motherhood. Love it! Have a blessed week!
Yes, Mary! You are right! It is a beautiful way to honor God. Beautiful thought! I’ve been thinking so much lately about honoring God. That’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?
Trotting over to Krisiti’s to read the rest of the story that I started at Holley’s link up! Sounds like we’re on the same page when it comes to Mother’s Day!
Thanks Michele, for following my trail from Holly’s to Kristi’s. 🙂
Great encouragement here (and at Kristi’s), Betsy. I love hearing about the path you have followed with your kids and the fruit of nourishing their walk with Him. For me, God has used motherhood to make grace real to me. He’s helped me be intentional about not passing on the perfectionist cycle that plagued me for so many years, but rather to help my son know that God loves him in spite of failures and imperfections – in fact, that they can draw us into a deeper dependence on Him.
Oh what a good lesson to pass on to your son, Tiffay! GRACE! I’m a recovering perfectionist myself, and I struggle and pray to leave a legacy of grace instead of perfectionism to my kids too. 🙂