Mothering

Happy May!

Hopefully, you had a lovely week balancing work and life effectively! Sometimes we get overburdened on one side or the other in trying to harmonize both. Regardless, take some time this week or plan for the weekend to rest and refresh so that you can invite new creativity into your life.

This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day, and I thought it appropriate to pay homage to the women in our lives who played essential roles in our development. Unfortunately, not everyone had the opportunity to be mothered by the biological parent we honor on this day. That is an unfortunate truth that many face. My sincere desire is that there was some woman in life who became the stand-in for that role.

I came across this quote to share with you that allows for mothering to come from a variety of places:

I have used this quote in the past, but it’s worth repeating. Mothering can come from different places and people. The sentiment is not exclusive to a birth parent.

Perhaps there was a nanny or teacher who provided comfort and care. Maybe she was a grandmother, stepmother, adopted mother, or favorite aunt who provided a model for womanhood. She may have been an unrelated person who became a hero due to her empowerment, compassion, or leadership, someone you looked up to as a model to emulate. Maybe she was a mother-in-law. Perhaps she was actually a dad doing double duty. 

Both men and women are affected by mothering, both positively and negatively. And women who assume this role posture themselves to influence childhood development, whether or not they’re aware of the impact. For girls, she’s a model whom we look to for integrity, appropriateness, and grace. With boys, she’s the person who initiates an understanding of how to treat others with respect and dignity and become comfortable with sensitivity and gentleness. She’s the one who teaches love, respect, and kindness to both boys and girls.

Unfortunately, we weren’t all blessed with the mothering we needed. My heart breaks for those who did not experience a loving biological mother, and I hope there was a woman who was able to fill that role. As adults, we can parent ourselves and begin to heal from old wounds. It’s not easy, but certainly worth the effort.

For example, think about Ruth; although we don’t know about her biological mother, we know how her mother-in-law, Naomi, influenced her life and destiny. Scripture shares:

“And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.” Ruth 2:11 (NKJV)

And later, we learn:

“Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?” Ruth 3:1 (NKJV)

Of course, there are other examples of mothers in Scripture. Some were amazing, and some, not so much. If your experience was positive, I urge you to honor the mothering person in your life. If your experience was unsavory, I hope you’re able to find assistance to reconcile and heal. Finally, I wish the happiest of Mother’s Days to all mothers!

Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda