THE GIVING WAY

I’ve come to realize something about motherhood that both inspires and scares me.

I’ve been thinking a lot about becoming a mom and what that really means and what my life will look like for the rest of my life once our first child is born and looks into my eyes…because I know from that moment on, I will never be the same person. I will always be mom to this child and to any others that come in the years to come. It’s a beautiful thing, and I feel as ready for that season of life as I can be. But in my thinking about being a mom I’ve realized something…I’ve realized that there is one predominant word and action the sums up what being a good mother really is:: it’s giving.

Motherhood is all about giving.

A mother gives and gives and gives, and receives very little, if anything, in return.

She gives her body in pregnancy and labor and birth. She gives her love in the middle of the night when she could be sleeping. She gives endless attention to that newborn and toddler, helping them develop into their own independence. She gives kisses and hugs and snuggles, because that’s what children need. She gives her hands to make food and wash dishes and sweep up crumbs, and then does it all over again the next day. She gives her voice to instruction and affirmation and story time on the couch. She gives her feet and legs to playing childhood games in the yard and to push babies on a swing and to running frantically towards a child tottering towards harm. She gives up her quiet mornings and uninterrupted meals and fingerprint-less windows all for these little things called children.

She gives.

A mother gives and gives and gives. 

I’ll be honest…realizing the extent of the giving that is required to be a mom scares me sometimes. There are some people in life who are such good and natural givers. You know, those people who seem to thrive off of serving and giving and never asking for anything in return. But I am not one of them. It is much easier for me to take than give. It’s not that I don’t give and serve, but it’s not my natural inclination to just love love love to lay down my wishes and agenda for someone else. I have to fight my own selfish heart often in the way of giving.

So thinking ahead to all that will be required of me in the coming years can be daunting. It’s exciting, absolutely, and I still cannot wait to bring this child into the world and become a mom. But it can be daunting at times. I have moments where I feel so anxious about my abilities to be a good mom, to be such a constant giver. What if I just get so tired of it? What if I just want my old life back with my quiet mornings and me-time and coffee outings and clothes that don’t smell like spit up and baby poo? What if I can’t do this thing called motherhood well?

But so many times when I start to feel doubtful and anxious, the sweet voice of God whispers to my soul…that this is what I was created for. I was created to give. And His grace will sustain me as I continue to give life and nurture life as a mom in the years to come. I won’t be a perfect parent, and I know there will be times that I feel tired of giving…but the giving way is His way and He will be there with me at every moment.

What about you: what are your thoughts on the giving that is required as a mother?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!