On Being a Mom. On Being a Daughter.

I had intended this post for Mother’s Day, which is  just a couple of weeks away. But seeing there’s no time like the present and considering that waiting patiently isn’t one of my virtues, I decided to move it up

I recently got together with some old church friends at one of their daughter’s baby shower. Our children were in church youth group together, and those middle and high school years were a blessing to them and us. We are all forever grateful for the leadership of a godly woman who was assisted by equally committed adults in our church. One of the greatest gifts is that our kids, who are now in their 20’s, are still close and keep in touch with each other.

We are all so proud of our daughters and sons. They are kind-hearted, hard working, and give so much love to us and others. At one time or another each of us were addressed as “mom” by them, so we all share in the joy of their accomplishments even if time and distance separate us.

We also had another thing in common. Most of our children don’t attend church regularly or seem to be cultivating a continued relationship with Jesus (I emphasize the word “seem” because only they and God know what is going on in their hearts). This is not all uncommon. I drifted away during my young adult years. I can’t say I rejected God, because I would regularly reach out to him, but my faith was immature and one-sided. I did all the taking and He did all the giving.

A couple of weeks after the shower, I had dinner with the soon-to-be grandmother. We spoke again about how our kids didn’t keep going to church after high school (though her daughter does attend regularly). I relayed my personal journey and how I pray that the seeds that were planted in their youth will take root and grow. We each have a unique spiritual path that can only be navigated by God, no one else.

That’s when she shared a simple yet revelatory insight a friend in her current church told her. She paraphrased, “God does not have any grandchildren. He only has children.”

Mind. Blown.

Moms, we love our children so much that at times it actually hurts. It fills us so deeply and so completely that our physical bodies can barely contain it. We’d walk through fire and willingly not come out to protect them and give them a better life. We feel their hurts and celebrate their happiness. Yet for all of that, there is no one who will ever sacrifice, grieve, or rejoice more for and with our children than the one who created each of them. The one who has loved them since the beginning of time and will for eternity in the most incomprehensible way.

This is our deepest prayer as mothers: that our children will know that the single most important relationship in their lives is the one they have with Jesus Christ. It is above all others. Even the one they have with us.

And here’s another thing: this applies to us as well. Yes we are moms, but first and foremost we are daughters. Like our children, we are deeply loved by our Father, saved by Jesus, and guided by the Holy Spirit. Nothing and no one comes before that.

So sisters, Happy (early) Mother’s Day! Celebrate being a mom. And rejoice in being a daughter.