beWARM

There is no greater measure of a woman’s worth or success than the extent to which she serves as the heart of her home. ~Nancy Leigh DeMoss

If it weren’t for our Mothers, we wouldn’t be reading these words right now. Through them, we entered the world – fresh, new, and full of promise. God gifted them – and us – with the miracle of life.

A mother’s heart is formed long before the birth of her first child. Somewhere deep within is the seed of a flowering love that blossoms in joy when a newborn is embraced. Could she ever have imagined life without this precious being in her arms?

Hope, dreams, and imaginings permeate…who will this little person become?  More important than whom he or she resembles, what thoughts will inhabit their minds and hearts?

Thus begins the great voyage of discovery.

For those of us who are Moms, we know full well the emotional landscape  of our profession. No amount of study or preparation can adequately prepare for the heartspace required for nurturing, let alone the physical and mental stamina necessary for the moments interruptus that ensue.

Somehow, each in our own way, we manage to thrive…and amazingly, so do our children.  Personal sacrifices of varying degrees come with the territory. We continually reach and extend to our children, always hoping we are imparting all of the best of us to them.

In return, we pray that they will learn to forgive our less than perfect moments, and hold fast the memories of family that knit our hearts and souls tightly together.

My thankfulness abounds in both directions.

My Mom is a treasure. Her quiet, enduring and gracious love has been a source of  both strength and comfort to me.  Her example serves as a guiding light.

Emily, Kristy, and Abby…my beautiful daughters, each blessing the world with their lives – and teaching me some lessons in living fully along the way.  I am honored to have birthed these women of grace.

Enza, Theo, and Vera…more flowers of my heart that have burst into bloom. I am so grateful to be able to experience the extension of our family, and enjoy my role as Nana to the fullest!

Mothers…hearts wide as the ocean…love that never ends                         …patience extraordinaire…forgiveness abounding…
…this bond can never be broken.

God’s call to mothers is a simple one – to love our children unconditionally, as He loves us.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.      ~1 Corinthians 13:13