For the Love of a Mom

My daily devotional called for “trust in God’s greater plans as He does His far better work in the history of our lives” (Joe Stowell, Our Daily Bread, February 9, 2013). It suggested that rather than be annoyed by “anything that diverts me from my routines and plans” (and that sometimes the diversion can even be “unsettling and painful”), we should consider them “divine diversions”.

I not only can say a hearty “Amen to that!” I know personally the difference it can make when we step back and consider all that God may be doing and simply trust what we do not understand or cannot see. And for some reason, this directed my thinking to being a mom (like so many things do!).

What beautiful things have been a part of my experiences, and I am forever grateful to the Giver of all good things. I know and understand, to the depth of my limited understanding, the love and grace of a forgiving God. I am His, and He is mine. I enjoy a relationship that is personal, and it is real. My relationship with the God of the universe through the undeserved death of His Son Jesus, has awed me since my young heart first grasped this great and mind-boggling truth. And even though still, I wonder why or how, I embrace it and cherish it. I think of the many “diversions” that have come my way to direct me and lead me down the path I have taken and I have to just step back and with a huge sigh of relief, say “Thank God He has been in charge and not me!”

That’s not to say I have always been the willing and obedient child. I’m grateful that He is as patient as He is forgiving! And I think of all the people that have built into my life. Some of them have no idea of the impact they have made as our paths crossed for a moment or a season. They each have a place of meaning and significance in my life. Every role I have been allowed, from daughter to sister, to granddaughter and niece, to cousin, to friend and neighbor, from aunt to daughter-in-law to mother-in-law and sister-in-law, to wife, mother and now grandmother, they represent a very full and good life.

But this mom thing…being a parent, I don’t know. I’ve spent the greater part of my life now doing it, parenting. It’s such an honor. It’s such hard work! The funny thing? It’s not just my own biological children that call me, or have called me mom. I’m not so sure it is what I am called that matters as much as what I do with a gift I am given. The Scripture says that “children are a gift from the Lord”. I can’t imagine having tossed my “gifts” aside like they were worthless. What a treasure my children have been, and still are for that matter. But this mom thing has taken a few turns as well. There have been a few “divine diversions” along the way, things Rog and I didn’t expect, didn’t plan for, weren’t sure how to always deal with. But what we did have was God’s Word. And He is the great example of a parent. He became our model. And He said, “whosoever will may come.” He made His love known. It is unconditional. We didn’t have to become His perfect children first before He chose to love us and accept us with all our problems. And He doesn’t force His love on anyone. He just gives it, and keeps giving it even when it is rejected.

That is so like God. It’s much harder for me. I love people, maybe because so many have poured themselves and their love into me. I’m sure for someone that hasn’t had the benefit and blessing of knowing God’s love, or anyone else’s…I mean love the way it is supposed to be: unselfish, unyielding, unimposing, the kind of love explained in I Corinthians 13, that it might seem impossible to experience.

But it is possible.

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it
does not seek its own, is not easily provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in
unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things. Love never fails.”

Did you catch that? Love never fails. People fail love. There’s no denying that some people are harder to love, sadly even some children. They can provoke irritation, frustration; they can even be hateful, hurtful and dare I say, revolting. But I remind myself often that “love is not easily provoked”. And I can genuinely love the children and young people that God directs into my path because I know He loves them dearly and they need to know His love.

As to what they decide to call me when they’re not my own? I’m ok with ‘Mom.’ if that's what they comfortably or naturally choose. I’m not going to take that away from them. Am I privileged to bear the title? Yes, but it’s not about me really. It’s more about the fact that perhaps they’ve come to enjoy the compassion and nurture and teaching and training and all that a mom is, the way God intended. Just maybe they start to see themselves differently because a mom values them, believes in them, prays for them. And it does not take away from how dear it is to me to have my own children call me their version of Mother: “Mom”, “Momma”, even “MooMoo”! It’s about the relationship that is developed, the love, the trust, the mutual respect and appreciation.

These are my “divine diversions”, children other than my very own that maybe I did not expect to have a part in rearing. Instead of being annoyed by it or avoiding it, I have welcomed it. Not because of who I am, but rather because they are gifts from God to be cherished. Even the rotten, provoking ones! Who knows, but for the love of a mom that just wants them to know Jesus’ love, they would have no chance at the life God has planned for them.

I'm a mom. I don’t know what role God has placed you in, what opportunities He has given you to love others through Him in a way you didn't ask for or expect. Maybe it's Dad, aunt, mentor, friend. Don’t run from it, embrace your “divine diversions”, to His glory and your blessing.

“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God”. Mark 10:14