Sisters: We Are All Mothers
As I mentioned already, I am going to talk about mothers, but not just about them, to them, all of them. I want to speak to those women who can have children, and those who cannot. I want to speak to those who already have children, and to those who don't. That means young women and newly weds, this is for you, too. I want to speak to those who become mothers through birth, and through adoption, or otherwise. I learned something recently: as daughters of God, we are all mothers in some way.
Last year, a couple weeks before our first Mother's Day as a married couple, my husband and I were talking about Mother's Day and I was puzzled at first. I can't tell you how many times I looked at him and said, "but Sweetie, I really don't want anything, I'm not a mom yet!" I haven't told him this yet, but I loved his response every time. "But you're a future mom!" I still protested, but I knew he was right. I have been preparing to be a mother since the day I started Personal Progress, working on things like Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue. All of these things have not only brought me closer to my loving Savior, Jesus Christ, but also prepared me for a calling I will someday hold, and now hold. Someday, when my husband, my Heavenly Father, and I decide, we will bring a new life into this world, but even now I believe in many ways, I play the roll of a mother.
I, along with many other women, have been blessed with opportunities to influence the lives of those around us. Bearing children is not the only way to be a mom. My mother for example, like many, was blessed with the divine role of motherhood through the bearing of her own children, but I believe she has been a mother to many more than just her own. Ever since I can remember, my mom has run an in home daycare. I would watch as some moms would come through the door, running through the house to where their child played, more excited than anything just to see their sweet little son or daughter again after a long day at work. I also watched as some mothers waited until the very last minute, sometimes hours after closing time, to pick up their kiddos. I remember as some holidays landed on weekdays, and even though we were closed for our own family time, children were dropped off at 6 am sharp, and my mother just didn't have the heart to say no. My mom was a mom to these kids. She loved them like her very own. I remember moments when tears streamed down her face as she prayed for some of theses children, or as we moved to a new place and it was like leaving her own children behind: because she was.
There are two other mothers in particular who have my utmost admiration, both of which shared my family ward as I finished my last three years of High School. One of these is a mother of sixteen. Four of these children are biologically her own, and twelve were adopted. Eleven of her adopted children are biologically brothers and sisters. Her role as a mom came through both physical births, and adoption. I admire her strength, and her courage, and her loving heart in giving so many children a loving home, and a place where they belong. The other mother is one who could not have her own by herself, but was later blessed with three beautiful children who also needed a home, a place where they are loved and cherished deeply. I wish I could remember the words she used as she told me how beautiful adoption really is. I might not remember the words she used, but I do remember the things that I felt. I knew then that she loves her children just as much as if they had come to her through birth, and I can still feel her testimony today. She knows her role as a mother, and I know she is thankful every day for her trials, because without them, she may have never met the children who were truly meant to be hers.
How special is each of our roles as daughters of God, as mothers in His kingdom. Future moms, biological moms, adoptive moms, foster moms, we are all moms in His eyes, and have been blessed with divine attributes to help us be moms.
Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "the work of a mother is hard. Too often as unheralded work. Please know that it is worth it, then, now, and forever." Neil L. Andersen also of the Twelve, testified of the great blessing of children and of the happiness they will bring us in this life and in the eternities. He said, "as we look into the eyes of a child, we see a fellow son or daughter of God who stood with us in the premortal life. It is a crowning privilege of a husband and wife who are able to bear children to provide mortal bodies for these spirit children of God."
I am so grateful that someday I will be able to have my own children. Not having done so before, the thought does scare me a little, for a few reasons. There are still things I want to do with my life, goals that I have, things I want to learn and accomplish. I watched the Mormon Message, Having Children Enriches Your Life, and the words of this special sister rang true in my mind. She said, "I think a common misconception with having kids is that life is over. I am an artist and am somehow able to get it done just the same as I did before." One of my favorite things in the whole world is Martial Arts. I've been working hard and training hard since I was about five years old. I feared that having children too soon would set me back, prevent me from training in the way I need, and these thoughts frustrated me because I know I need to continue on this path, but I also know the importance of being a mom. The sister continued, "it's been really cool to be a part of and see how the Lord has been making it happen." I know now, that as I have faith, and continue to rely on my Savior, He will help make it happen for me, too.
My other struggle has to do with both my husband's and my schooling. How do I be a mom, train, and go to school at the same time? How does my husband be a husband, a father, go to school, and provide for his family at the same time? Through much prayer and many visits to the temple we have been able to receive many answers, but it was this story about an Elder Mason that really helped build my confidence. Elder Neil L Andersen quoted, "Marie and I had rationalized that to get me through medical school it would be necessary for her to remain in the workplace. Although this was not what we wanted to do, children would have to come later. While looking at a church magazine at my parents home, I saw an article by Elder Spencer W. Kimball, then of the Quorum of the Twelve, highlighting responsibilities associated with marriage. According to Elder Kimball, one sacred responsibility was to multiply and replenish the earth. My parents' home was close to the Church Administration Building. I immediately walked to the offices, and thirty minutes after reading his article, I found myself sitting across the desk from Elder Spencer W. Kimball. I explained that I wanted to become a doctor. There was no alternative than to postpone having our family. Elder Kimball listened patiently and then responded in a soft voice, 'Brother Mason, would the Lord want you to break one of His important commandments in order for you to become a doctor? With the help of the Lord, you can have your family and still become a doctor. Where is your faith?"
Elder Mason continued, "Our first child was born less than a year later. Marie and I worked hard, and the Lord opened the windows of Heaven." The Masons were blessed with two more children before he graduated from medical school four years later.
So where is my faith? After hearing this, I have tried to turn my heart to my loving Father in heaven, and focus more on the blessing of being a mother. I am working to humble myself, so that when the time is right, I will be open to His answer.
Before I close, I want to share one more quote by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He said, "May I say to mothers collectively, in the name of the Lord, YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT, you are doing terrifically well. The very fact that you have been given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in heaven has in you. He is blessing you, and will bless you, even, no, especially when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope."
I am so grateful to the mothers in my life. I am thankful to my mom and the example she sets for me. I am thankful for my aunt and my mother in law who have welcomed me so wholeheartedly into their family and helped me feel at home in a new place, and I am thankful to my husband, for helping me feel more confident in my future days as a mom.
I would like to bare my testimony before I close that yes, I KNOW this church is true. I know that the Lord is grateful to all our efforts as we strive to do our very best by Him. I know that each of us has a divine role in His plan, both as His children, and parents in His kingdom. I say these things in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, amen.
Here are just a few of the mothers in my life <3
 |
| Annette Russon: My aunt on my husband's mom's side |
 |
| Naomi Jeanne Carrol (granny): great grandma on my mom's side. |
 |
| Cheryl Sippy: Grandma on my mom's side |
 |
| Robin Moffit: Grandma on my dad's side |
 |
| Suzette Sippy Anderson: my aunt on my mom's side |
 |
| Amy Rosenberg: mother in law |
 |
| My mom: the best of the best <3 |
**There are many other mothers who have greatly influenced my life, and these are just a few. I hope they all know how special they are to me, even those not mentioned (chances are I just didn't have a good picture to use, but I love you anyway!). I would not be the same woman I am today without them. Happy Mother's Day!
For more Marriage/Family, visit http://blog.allthingstristen.com/search/label/Marriage%2FFamily
For more on Religion, visit http://blog.allthingstristen.com/search/label/Religion
Comments
Post a Comment