Mom. That one word can evoke hundreds of thoughts and emotions. Words are inadequate to describe the feeling of holding a baby, your baby, in your arms for the very first time. As you look into the face of your precious little one, you feel as if you are looking into the face of God. He is perfect love, and His reflection shines from the face of this child. Life could not possibly get any better than this--definitely a pick-me-up moment. Oh, that being a mom would always be that easy and tender!
Those of us who hold the coveted title of Mom know that much of our lives are lived either on the mountaintop or in the valley. The struggle to stay on top is continuous. Even those moms who outwardly seem to have it all together probably do not, in reality!
Few of us understand that when we accept the challenge of motherhood, it is something that remains with us for life. A mother's heart is a forever gift. It binds you to other women, both known and unknown. You are instantly a part of a worldwide sorority. You are unalterably bound to dimply knees, peanut butter-smeared faces, pigtails, and the like, especially when observed on little ones who share your nose, hair color, or crooked smile. And motherhood changes you.
The change in your life is physical. Before having children, you never knew that you could be so tired or that you could eat in so many different positions.
The change is mental. You not only have to plan what you are going to wear, but you also have to hunt shin guards and tutus and go to 50 different stores looking at prom dresses only to return to store number 1 to make your purchase.
The change is emotional. You never dreamed you could cry over an off-pitch solo of "Silent Night" or a missed bid for cheerleader. You do not worry about heart attacks; you worry about heart bursts--your heart swells every time you see a stray curl on a forehead or smell the scent of baby powder.
The change is spiritual. You never knew God could be so close. You see Him everywhere--and at all hours of the day and night! There could not possibly be any more wonderful glimpse of His glory here on this earth than what is seen through the eyes of a mother gazing on her children. And no greater accolade exists than for a woman to experience Proverbs 31:28: "Her children arise and call her blessed."
The joys of motherhood are euphoric. The pains of motherhood send you to the depths of despair. And in between is the constant blessing of everyday life that can be experienced to the fullest because someone somewhere calls you Mom.
Whether you are currently on the mountaintop, in the valley, or somewhere in between, may this book bless you and point you to the One who created moms in the first place. May you be inspired to bless your family and all the other people around you.
*Being entered in the drawing to win a copy of Mommy Pick-Me-Ups is easy. All you have to do is e-mail me and tell me what picks YOU up as a Mommy. I'm sure you've got some wonderful answers! And for each pick-me-up you send me at heycarriepartridge@gmail.com, you'll be entered in the book drawing, which will be on Friday, July 30th. Then look for a post next week that will list everyone's favorite pick-me-ups!
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