Thursday, November 02, 2006

The Luminous Mysteries of Motherhood...

This post, I am afraid, will be rather long due to the ponderings of this young mother's heart. The content of this post was birthed throughout this past week. As you read in my previous post, I was sick last week. Sicker than I have ever been I think. My mother rode in on her white horse to save me and my family. She dropped everything, as she has always done, to come to my aid. Not only did she seamlessly take over the running of my household, but also parented Abby Kate, was there to hold my hair back every time I threw up, provided fresh 7-up every time I awoke and had a nutritious, delicious meal ready for my family each night. Once I was back among the living and able to visit the living room in small increments, I watched my child, who normally gets whiny at certain times of the day, play and laugh like a child straight out of the movies. Then the dreaded happened and I went for her and she winched away, only wanting her Sweetie. I have to admit, I have always known my mother was born to be a mother, but in that moment, I had my questions as to my own ability.I know I am blessed to have the mother I do. I know many of you could not say the things I am about to say and for that, I am SO thankful. I just wonder, does it just takes years and years of practice or are there people simply better at parenting than others? I still have such pockets of selfishness that clamor for me to ignore my child and watch E! News or read my newly arrived US Weekly or to go search the internet for cute clothes while my child plays in her exersaucer (I mean its Baby Einstein right? So it has to be educational...much better than anything I could give her, right? Right?). Gosh I can't believe I am admitting this to my friends and family, on the internet no less...oh well, cheers to authenticity! I still feel a right to my alone time. I mean, who cares that the laundry has been sitting in the washer wet for 2 days and there are 4 weeks of ironing and dinner needs to get started. If I don't check my email or read a little, I might go crazy right? Then I watch my mother, who is 25 years older than me come in with the energy of a 15 year old, do it ALL joyfully and well. Not only that but also won the affection of my own daughter, who I am with 24/7 in the middle of the stage where she is supposed to be experiencing separation anxiety! WHY? That question that haunts the heart of every woman, "Am I a lousy mother?" Why the heck did God entrust a child to me? This year alone, I have watched some of my dearest friends struggle through infertility, one lose his child at 9 months, and one that has dedicated her life to children not be able to conceive. I have to admit I question, bargain and sometimes rail at God when things seem unfair. I know we live in a fallen world...I know bad things happen. I, personally, do not feel God judges or punishes, I do believe He lets us live with the consequences of our choices and I often remind myself that is why there are so many unwanted pregnancies, that is why there are drug babies, ect...but it is hard to understand. It is hard to know here I am, struggling so with the inadequacies I feel as a mother, when so many I know would kill for the chance to just try. My child-magnet friend that is struggling with infertility right now and I talked yesterday, and the hardest thing to understand for me is when it seems you have done everything right (as I believe her life is testimony of what is right) and there still is no reward. I know God is not like that, up there keeping a Naughty and Nice list waiting to dole out presents of fulfilled desires but it is hard not to think that way. I mean why when she is a clear choice for a great mother, can't she get pregnant? Though my empathy is crazy strong, I will not pretend to know what those that walk the road of infertility feel, but I am thankful I have had several great friends allow me to walk beside them as they were transparent and real with me. I have learned much through them. All in all, here is to uncertainty. Whether our children are living and breathing sleeping in the next room or whether those children are living and waiting in the hearts of their parents, I am thankful that we don't have it all figured out. I am thankful I serve a God who knows...and as my husband so gently often reminds me, 'if we knew what He knew, we would be doing the exact same thing.' I am thankful that I am inadequate but that my God does not call the equipped but equips the called. I never want to be sure of my own abilities. I know they are nothing in light of what God can do through me if I will just step aside. And I am also deeply thankful that He has given me friends to walk beside on this journey who are REAL and who allow me to share this burden of fear and uncertainty while they share theirs....now I need to quit being selfish and go check on my child who is at this moment trying to avoid sleep by, what it sounds like, pulling her blinds off the window.
Oh and by the way, I would LOVE for you to post your thoughts to my post. I love knowing who is reading and what YOU all think and feel too! Okay, now I am going...

3 comments:

Katie M said...

It is so great to know that someone else feels this way! There is nothing like that feeling when your child looks up and gives you that smile that he would only give his Mommy - but then to see him give that same smile to someone else...ugh! Aren't we blessed to have people in our lives that love our kids like we do? My mom and mother-in-law are the greatest women I could ask for to influence my son. If I could just get over my own hang-ups, gosh...this whole thing would be easier! And then - I find myself recognizing how selfish my thoughts are when I get beyond myself and realize how blessed I am to have a child, when so many more deserving people out there don't. I never want to take this blessing for granted. And I am so thankful to have people like you around to help keep me grounded and aware of the simple blessings that God places around us. I just love you, Steph!

Cat said...

Definitely cheers to authenticity! Thanks so much for sharing, Steph!!! As I am getting ready to walk this road of motherhood, I feel very blessed to have godly, wise friends like you that are willing to share "what it's really like"... Keep writing, my friend!

shawnda said...

Steph what a great post. I know as a mother I feel this way all too often. But I also try to remind myself they are only little once and enjoy every minute. God blesses each of us in our fertility and infertility. I have been through both and lost 2 babies along the way. The thing I have learned most through the trial times is that God is all we need and everything else is truely a bonus of blessings. I love my children dearly and thank God everyday for them and He and only He can fill the void you feel when you can not concieve or miscarry. Everyday life is taxing and as a wife and mother we feel overwhelmed at times but just remember this is what our purpose is in life, to serve others and love others. Thanks for the awesome reflections of your inmost thoughts; it's truely inspiring. And now mohterhood is calling me, Emilee is awake. Love ya girl.