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.

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 Prayer

Mother’s Day is upon us. Florists are making arrangements. Restaurants are preparing for their brunch crowds on Sunday. Children are making rice necklaces and handprints cards to give to their mothers. A friend of mine is launching a business dedicated to reminding mothers everywhere that self-care is the best care, and more importantly…Mommie needs a Moment.

It’s true mommie does need a moment. She needs a moment to breathe. She needs a moment to herself. She needs a moment to rest. She needs a moment to cry. She needs a moment to do nothing. She needs a moment to pray.

Praying for our kids is probably more beneficial than any of the other things we can do for our children. It is recognizing that our children are a gift from God, and we need God’s help to raise them. We can’t be with them 24 hours each day. We can’t protect them. We can’t be all things despite the cape we wear. We can’t make them make good decisions. We have to trust that we are being the best stewards of this divine gift. So, we pray for kids.

We pray that they be safe from harm. We pray that God will keep and cover them. We pray that they are healthy. We pray that they be healed. We pray that they become wise, productive, God’-fearing people. We pray without ceasing. It is a whisper at breakfast and a kiss goodnight. It is a fleeting thought throughout the day. A Mother’s prayer never ends.

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.