To every thing there is a season....

When I was a graduate student, grades and comments from professors meant everything to me. Statements such as "Great Job" made my day. I know there's other brilliant moms out there reading my blog (i.e. all the (ch)Kristens, Annette, Emily, just to name a few.), that were probably affected the same way by such comments.

In fact, if the truth be known, I still have a few papers I drag out every once in a while, that include such comments, just to remind myself that at one time I was quite a competent student. This frame of mind carried on right up to graduation, then something strange happened. I had my first child. All those grades, comments, and ambitions seemed not to matter as much. Now don't get me wrong, graduating with my doctorate 5 months after Parker was born felt like a great achievement, especially for a student who didn't do as well in high school and undergrad. But let me indulge and share with you what feels even better.

Imagine me in the kitchen preparing the family meal. Just when things are about ready to set on the table, my four year old, Ella, comes into the kitchen. She takes a deep whiff of whats been cooking and says, "Mom something smells great. You're such a good cook. Thanks Mom." Or setting down at the table for said meal and the same little girl says, "This is the best mac and cheese I've ever had, thanks mom". The feeling I get is better than any 'A' I ever received.

Now let's change scenarios and change children. Now picture me helping Parker sound out letters, read a book, or work on simple math problems. Here again a comment from one of my children trumps any comment ever penned by a professor. "Mom you're just about the smartest person I know."

And not to be out done by his sisters, Jack makes my heart soar with every "I LOVE YOU MOM!"

Who would have thought that the girl who once loved to set the curve would find pleasure in such simple statements. It is true that when done right, with full purpose of heart, motherhood can be a beautiful thing. The world in general would have us think differently. Many times the statement is made, "Oh you're JUST a stay at home mom". I want to correct such people and encourage them to rethink their phraseology. How about, "Wow, you are a stay at home mom."

The way I see it, mothers are the very foundation upon which this world is built. The saying is true, "Behind every good man is a better woman", and that woman is his mother. The values and standards most individuals live by were taught in their home by their mother (and of no less importance their father).

Okay, that's my soap box for today. It's a round about way of thanking all you mothers out there. Thank sto the mothers who raised us mothers, and for the ones who raised our husbands. Thank you to the mothers who must work to provide for their children and still manage to be the best moms around, and thank you to the stay at home moms. Both sets of ladies are raising the children that my children will grow up with and interact with on a daily basis.

I am grateful to a Heavenly Father who creates such seasons in our lives. I couldn't imagine liking very much the person I was, the one who lived for comments from professors. However, I must admit I do like the person in me who cherishes comments, smiles, hugs, and kisses from my children. I am grateful to know there is a plan for our lives and that at every junction we can inquire with the Lord to make sure we are on the right path. I am glad to know that Heavenly Father smiles kindly on those mothers who are trying to do their very best to raise His children. I am glad for His help when I must drop to my knees and pray to be a better mother for my children and am grateful for the opportunity to repent when I have fallen short of the mother He expects me to be. I am also grateful to all you mothers out there who have set such a great example for me and grateful still to all you gals out there who may not have given birth to a child but provide your loving care to the children of others.

What a responsibility we have as mothers. We have been given charge over the Lord's spirit children and have been given the great responsibility to ensure that our children learn to live in such a way that will allow them to return home to Him someday. When thought of that way, what better title to hold than mom.