Today is Mother’s Day; when we officially honor all of our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, friends, or any of the remarkable women who who have “mothered” us along the path of our lives. I read today that “Life doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with a Mother”. That’s such a lovely thought. Makes us feel all smooshy and warm and sentimental inside.
Except…talk about the pressure! Where’s the manual for the mothers?!? I mean, really!
Motherhood is the greatest challenge of a woman’s life. It’s supposed to also be the greatest blessing of a woman’s life.
(Tip to all moms “in the trenches”: Um…you know those “Blessings and Rewards” you keep hearing about? They aren’t necessarily awarded in this life. Or, at least not for another 20-30 years….But, Keep soldiering on!!!!)
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve wished life came with a “manual”. Especially when it comes to parenting!! After nearly 23 years of being a Mommy the less I really know! I am glad when each of those beautiful little bundles of joy were placed in my arms for the first time I was clueless as to the unique burdens that were included with each package! 🙂
It seems God designed it that way for a reason.
It’s pretty darn amazing that God allows us to experiment on these precious tiny people he entrusts into our care.
“What was He thinking”, right?!?!?
Well, He’s God after all. So, that means He has a plan. And, just like all of His divine plans, He doesn’t ever expect us to do it all by ourselves.
“For lo, I am with you always”
He’s standing by – ready, willing and able to help. All we have to do is ask.
“Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you” – Matthew 7: 7-8
Of course, the answers to all of our questions don’t often come quickly or clearly! Usually the door gets a little stuck, or it stays closed until the last possible minute…but, that means we get to walk by faith. We hope, and pray. We try. We worry. We do our best. We stumble, and fall, and then get up the next day and try again. We cry all kinds of tears. The happy tears, the Sad tears, the frustrated, mad, joyful, painful, frightened, hilarious, and just-because-we-feel-like-it tears. But, we find “joy in the morning”, and delight in the “little things”, and the heavenly gifts.
“Every Good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” – James 1:17
We hold on to hope that God is really there, and that He really will “make up the difference” as we stumble and bumble along. We pray somehow the kids will still “turn out OK in the end”. And, surprisingly, they usually do. We mother’s have learned how to get in, fasten our seat belts, and hold on for dear life…because being a Mom is definitely a wild and bumpy ride!
It seems God designed it that way for a reason.
I feel so BLESSED and eternally grateful to my darling mother who taught me out of the best books, instilled a love for learning and how to work hard. She showed us all how to have Mom Power, to fearlessly battle cancer head-on, and win! To my Grandmothers, my Mother-in-law, my aunts, and to all of the other mothers and “surrogate mothers” I have known and been guided by. Their unconditional love, courage, compassion, humor and “despite-all-odds” perseverance has given me daily strength, shaped me into who I am today, and shown me the potential of who I can be tomorrow.
So there’s no manual? No worries! Like Mom would say, “Who has time to read a manual anyway?”
This lovely video sums it up so well!
Related articles
- Honoring All Women For Mother’s Day (mormonsoprano.com)
- The Cure for Mother’s Day (mormonsoprano.com)
- Books that Guide My Life (mormonsoprano.com)
- Mom Power (mormonsoprano.com)
- Please Remember Who You Are (mormonsoprano.com)
Latter-day Soprano 
[In Sacrament Meeting] We felt it was important that mothers be given recognition without the need to be “PERFECT” which no one can be..
…I have in my life learned from many. They have been men and women, some have been relatives, and many others have become dear friends and beloved because of what I have learned from them. Those who I love the most have taught me the most. Of them all, I count two most dearly, my mother, and my bride.
I had the blessing of having my mother in my life for something nearing 62 years. I learned from her how to persevere, how to be unafraid of sharing my feelings and love with those dear to me. I learned how great a gift this gospel is, and how dearly it was bought for me. I learned what a woman can do even with little to work with. I learned that if I hold on, things will get better. I learned that, even when those who you love hurt you, there are still sweet rewards in continuing in love for them. I learned to love the gospel of Christ even when I did not understand it, and to know that one day I would understand it. I learned to study from her, and to recognize when I receive answers.
I learned to recognize the beauty of the spirits I chanced to come upon, and I learned to value those things in the young woman that came to be the love of my life and the other, better half of me.
This woman who has been yoked with me for 44 years is the woman I learned to recognize from my mother’s teaching and example. She is no more perfect than am I, but she has learned and grown and loved and taught at my side all those years, and her children call her blessed. She is, for me and my family, as blessed of mien and heart and memory as any woman in my world.
I leave you this day with my testimony of the Savior, of the value he places upon the women in our lives, and the great blessings I have reaped from knowing, and loving, and listening to the counsel of my beloved mothers.
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Thank you Rod for sharing your thoughts and testimony. I had to edit your comment a bit, it was too long for the server, but I really appreciate that you read my post, and shared your insights!
Best wishes, MoSop
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THANK YU ROD FOR SHARING UR THOUGHT WTH US, IV LEANED ALOT FROM.IT
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