Mothering - Glimpses into the heart of God - Belated Mother's Day Thoughts

little cheeseballs :0)

Friday night we had one of many Mother's Day celebrations. (It's getting to be about as good as my birthday is - a week-long celebration!) Anyway, I was asked why I had children. It must have been one of those days because I was drawing a blank (also the end of the day, so my mind probably had used up all the beautiful, descriptive vocabulary it could). But, I've had time to reflect and feel as though I've got a good answer now.

One of the most humbling revelations I've had since becoming a mom is glimpsing a little of how God must feel when He interacts with us. The joy of being a new mom with a tiny little human to care for was a small glimpse at how God reveled in his creation deeming it "very good."

I understand a little better how God parents me. When I say "no" to one of the girls, I remember that God says "no" to me regarding certain things, but only out of concern for my best interest. Gracie and Hope just think I'm being a "mean mommy." Enlightened, I realize how God must feel having countless "mean things" attributed to Him. Does He ever want to shout (like I do), "I told you so!"

I have a taste of God's protective nature and fierce love for me. I'm a calm, easy-going person; however, if someone or something threatens the safety and well-being of one of my precious ones, I will strap on an AK-47 and go hunting. I will. God goes hunting too. He uses all sorts of weapons to break through our exterior and show us how much He loves us. Why else would He sacrifice His Son so we would avoid the terrible fate of death and afterlife without Him?

And finally, I think I understand Christ's sacrifice a little better. I'll never get it completely, because I'm clearly not Him, but I think I know a little how He feels. Even though He went through pure hell to save us, He'd do anything to be in relationship with us.

My favorite line from one of my favorite books, The Shack, depicts the Trinity as three actual people ministering to a hurting and broken man, Mack. At one point, Mack sarcastically asks Jesus whether "all roads could lead to Him." Jesus, always to the point, answers, "No, most roads lead nowhere, but I will travel ANY road to get to you." I'm humbled by that sentiment that God would feel that for me, and I'm thankful to realize it because it's how I feel about my girls. I would travel any road to get to them, to be in relationship with them.

So, to finally answer the question:

Why on earth did I have children?

Answer: to live in relationship with them, relying on God to

help me teach them all they need to know and to

enable me to love them as He loves me.