Strength

Commercials are the best. I remember the Secret deodorant commercial that always reminded us that it’s “strong enough for a man, but ph balanced for a woman.” Women are often thought of as the weaker species, but I was surrounded by women who had strength. My grandmother was a sharecropper. My mother was one of the first black students to integrate her high school. My aunt was in the military. I have a family full of survivors. Sometimes, we have to recognize that there is strength in letting go. There is strength in walking away. There is strength in not doing. There is strength in resting in God’s grace. There is strength in weakness. This Mother’s Day celebrate the women who have taken off their cape of busyness. This Mother’s Day celebrate the women who recognize the source of their strength. This Mother’s Day celebrate all the baby weight. This Mother’s Day celebrate all the scars and all the flaws. This Mother’s Day celebrate the women who found the strength to push past their fears and insecurities. This Mother’s Day celebrate all women who have nurtured, sacrificed, stepped up, and been present in your life regardless of their title. Happy Mother’s Day!

Servant

Mother’s Day is Sunday for those of you who have lost track of time. Each day seems like the last. There is no distinction between days. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. As mothers, it’s an endless cycle of care. We care for our loved ones. We care for our home. We serve. We are servants. I’m sure we didn’t think that motherhood would translate to servanthood, and that’s not a bad thing. Christ reminds us time and time again about the importance of servanthood. In order to be first, you must be last. The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve. The bible even instructs us on how to serve. We are to do everything unto the Lord. Serve with all your soul in love. Your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

Aftermath

Mother’s Day has come on gone. Mom has gotten her flowers and everything has gone back to normal. There are toilets to be cleaned and clothes to be washed. There are meals to be cooked and kids to be raised. The celebration is over. The aftermath is real. This is your reality. This is when you breathe. This is when you rest. This is when you take a moment. No need to be overwhelmed. There will always be something that needs to be done. There will always be an errand that needs to be ran. Wooh- sah. For self care suggestions and drink recipes visit https://mommieneedsamoment.com.

A Mother's Heart

Everyone has a different journey to motherhood. Some become mothers through marriage, like myself. Some become mothers through adoption or surrogacy. Some become mothers through pregnancy. No matter how you found yourself with the title of mother, your children are your heart. Their words can inspire you and cut you. They show you your best and worse version of yourself. They teach you lessons everyday. They make you smile. They make you cry and its all worth it. A mother’s heart is filled with endless love for her children.

A Mother's Psalm

psalm- noun a sacred song or hymn, in particular any of those contained in the biblical Book of Psalms and used in Christian and Jewish worship.

If you've ever read the Book of Psalms, you know that the content ranges from joy to desperation. There are high notes and solemn ones. There are moments of encouragement and moments of despair and hopelessness. Motherhood has moments of pure bliss and confusion. There are days when it all seems like too much. There are days when we we feel like giving up, and there are days when we feel like its all worth it. A mother's psalm isn't always a  top ten hit. Sometimes, its another sad love song. And sometimes, its a reminder that you're every woman. A mother's psalm is whatever song you choose to sing. It's remembering that motherhood is not a singular journey. Its reminding yourself that you were blessed with a divine gift. A mother's psalm is your personal praise.

Jewels

I grew up in barbershops and salons. In the African American community, this is where uncensored conversations about sex, money, politics, current events and religion occurred. As a child, I knew better than to join the conversation, but I did learn how to listen and digest what I was hearing. I learned to see things from a variety of perspectives whether I agreed or not. I learned about consequences from foolish behavior. I learned about successes from hard work. I learned that relationships are complicated. I learned that marriage takes work. I learned what men want and what women desire.

I learned to respect these "jewels" that were given. I learned that everything did not have to be experienced, and that I could learn vicariously. These men and women gave me "jewels" I still carry. They gave me wisdom and insight. I thank God for all the lessons and all the love given to this "young buck." I thank God for the men who stood in the place of my father and all the "mothers" who raised me.

I was blessed to have a host of strong women around me. My grandmother dropped domestic jewels and was my first example of a wife and mother. My mother is an enduring example of strength and perseverance. My godmother is an example of what fortitude looks like and one of my earliest examples of what it meant to truly blend a family. I have a host of mentors, "aunties", play cousins and friends who constantly shower me with "jewels" from their joy, their pain, and their triumphs.

Thank you for your time, your tenth, and your talent. Thank you for showing me that marriage and motherhood doesn't look the same for everyone. Thank you for your jewels. Happy Mother's Day.

Accountable

Who holds you accountable? Is it your husband? Is it your wife? Is it your sister or brother? Is it your mother or father? Is it your friend? Is it God? There should be someone in your life who you respect to keep you in check. There should be someone who can encourage you when you are down, chastise you when you're wrong, and celebrate you when you are victorious. If you don't have someone, I challenge you to find an accountability partner. You need someone to show you the man or woman in the mirror. You need someone to give you a gut check with love. Be present. Be accounted for and be accountable.