Remembering "Those Days" That Make Us Mom

Crying, instead of her alarm, woke her up this morning. After two days at home caring for a sick child and new baby, it was apparent that today would be day three. The park playdate would have to be cancelled that morning. What she wouldn't give for some social interaction! Instead, it would be day three of "mommy, I need you" with no time for herself or to even touch the disaster that was her house. Slowly she brought herself upright with feet on the floor and desperately said under her breath, "God, help me today."

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We can all relate to the scenario above, even if the details are different.
On Mother's Day, we take time to get "photo ready", our kids dress up, they give us gifts that they picked or made, maybe there will be a card or flowers from a spouse or friend. We go to brunch, smile, take pictures, and talk about the best moments.
But it isn't those precious moments that bring us through each year to a new Mother's Day as loved ones celebrate the mom we are--the mom we have become.
So to the mom with the sick kids, the mom getting daily phone calls from school, the mom with a child with a disability, the mom fighting depression, the mom struggling with rage, the mom suffering chronic pain, the mom facing fertility treatments, the mom who feels alone, you are not alone and I believe Mother's Day is a day that we remember the struggle that has transformed us from woman to mother.
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)
In God's hands, he will redeem those days and nights of motherhood that seem endless, the apologies given after we yelled at the kids, the pain of learning unconditional love after a child rejects us, the daily unseen care for the child who has so many more needs than his peers, the loneliness of parenting alone. God redeems what could have been meaningless pain into the ingredients he will use to make us the people and moms he has created us to be, moms filled with freedom, love, joy, hope, and boldness.
We can have hope, even in the struggles of motherhood when we ask for help because His "Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." (Romans 8:26)
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
If you are in a season of precious moments, enjoy it wholeheartedly, being fully present and thankful for the time of refreshment and joy!
But for those in a season of struggle or pain, God sees you and will sustain you, if you let Him. And when you look back, instead of seeing a series of bad days or weeks, you will see milestone moments when you came through the struggle with greater strength and grace to become more of the mom and person you were destined by God to be.
This Mother's Day is for you, remember the unforgettable moments that make you MOM!