Moms carry heavy load, so celebrate them

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little

children.”

-- WILLIAM MAKEPEACE

THACKERAY

There is no way to write about mothers and Mother’s Day without

knowing that while it is a wonderful and joyous celebration for many,

it can be a painful reminder of loss of some sort for others. I also

know that many people, including fathers, grandparents and others,

have taken a mothers’ role in the lives of countless people, and they

too deserve recognition. Their love, sacrifices, care and concern are

blessings to the children and to God.

This column this week is for mothers, or those taking care of

children. Being a mother is an amazing and challenging job. It is a

time of frustration and fascination; of pressures and pleasures; of

mistakes and miracles. While there are negatives that accompany the

role of motherhood, there are far more positives. Mothers need to

hear more positives! They deserve appreciation and encouragement, and

I want to give them both.

I am using excerpts from a book I wrote in 1986 entitled “A MOM IS

... “ After a brief introduction, I list some of the negatives, and

each one is followed by a far stronger positive.

A mom is someone who is tired and edgy and feels funny for nine

months.

A mom is also someone who is partaking with God in His gift of a

new life, created in His image.

A mom is someone who has to get up at night to feed her hungry

baby, and to stay up at night with her sick child.

A mom is also someone who is doing so for God who is there day and

night for her too.

A mom is someone who changes mountains of diapers and wipes oceans

of runny noses.

A mom is also someone who responds to her children’s needs, making

them feel secure and significant.

A mom is someone who has the least amount of peace and quiet,

while needing it the most.

A mom is also someone who hears the most giggles, singsongs and

make-believe adventures.

A mom is someone who depends on shopping carts, strollers and car

seats for a time.

A mom is also someone who can depend on God all of the time.

A mom is someone who is continually picking up clothes and toys

and books and on and on.

A mom is also someone who has the privilege of sharing God’s love

by caring for her family.

A mom is someone who spends a lot of time driving her little ones

from one place and activity to the next.

A mom is also someone whose love and spiritual contributions will

do far more to equip her child for life than any toy, team or class.

A mom is someone who feels that she is always telling her children

to do, do, do.

A mom is also someone who knows that quality time spent with her

children will help them to become who God wants them to be.

A mom is someone who collapses in bed at night and wakes up less

than ready to tackle the new day.

A mom is also someone who can count on God to provide not only His

strength but also His joy in her weakness.

There is clearly far more to motherhood than these few words, but

thank you moms and Happy Mother’s Day!

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She can be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or by mail at 537 Newport Center Drive, No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92660.