Celebrating Motherhood

"Vogue model Christy Turlington Burns and a host of female celebrities are encouraging mothers across the nation to ignore their children as part of “No Mother’s Day,” a sign of their support for reducing maternal mortality by supporting family planning and global access to abortion. " (lifenews.com)

I didn't do that yesterday. A couple of years ago I had an epiphany. Growing up and all my years so far as a mother, I have heard complaints about mothers day. Some mothers feel guilty because they don't feel like they measure up. Some mothers don't like that they still have to change those diapers and feed those kids, and some mom's are sad that their husbands and kids haven't clued in and given them breakfast in bed and gifts.Two years ago, I realized an important truth. Motherhood is glorious, divine, and definitely something to celebrate!

Two years ago, I  realized that I could celebrate Mother's Day best by trying to be the best mother I could. I did that by happily changing some diapers, holding the crying baby in church, reading repetitive stories to my kids, playing and crafting with my kids, and making them food that they like. Because well... my kids are who made me a mother. They are who made me noble.

Suddenly, I had no guilt about not being the best mother. I didn't care if doing all of the cooking and cleaning and diaper changing was too much for my husband to do alone. And well, my dearest husband has always gotten me lots of fun gifts. (Never felt bad there.) I realized that motherhood in all of its mess, and time, and sloppy kisses, and tears is something to celebrate!


So yesterday while Hollywood moms ignored their kids and didn't call their mothers in order to support contraceptives and abortion, I happily dressed my kids early for church, curled my daughter's hair, made breakfast, lunch , and dinner, cleaned dishes and diapers, held the crying baby in church. I laughed with my kids, read scriptures and talked about life with my cute teenagers, helped my kids make cards for Gramma, cleaned up the craft mess, got grumpy when not enough people were helping to get us ready to leave for Gramma's house, had a wonderful conversation with my mother on the phone, and loved visiting and eating cake and brownies that I did not make with my fun in laws and family.

Life is beautiful-- motherhood is beautiful, glorious, and divine. Motherhood is definitely worth celebrating!