This might surprise you.
Growing up, I really didn’t like children all that much. Oh, I thought they were cute, etc. But I hated babysitting. I would much rather spend my time with older people.
Then I got married and had children of my own. And {{gasp!}} I liked them!
The more time I spent with my children the more I realized I loved being a mother. The words of Elder Marvin J. Ashton are true: “What we serve we learn to love, and what we love takes our time, and what takes our time is what we love.” (We Serve That Which We Love, Ensign May 1981)
I had found my true self, who I really am in serving my family.
I often hear other women say “Yes, I am a mother but that doesn’t define me or who I am.”
And I am sad.
“Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us.” ~ Sheri L. Dew, Are We Not All Mothers?, Ensign Nov. 2001
Mother is my identity. It is every woman’s identity. It is our gift from a loving Heavenly Father.
“While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity, in the Lord’s language, the word mother has layers of meaning. Of all the words they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve “the mother of all living” —and they did so before she ever bore a child. Like Eve, our motherhood began before we were born.” (Sheri L. Dew, Are We Not All Mothers?, Ensign Nov. 2001)
When women deny they are mothers – whether they have born children or not – they are denying not only that gift but the Giver of the gift.
“For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:33)
Not only do I relish this precious gift, I am trying to teach my daughters about this wonderful gift that they have been given too. Hopefully my actions and my words support each other!
There is oh-so-much more I want to write! But I haven’t the time. I am trying to “neglect not the gift that is in [me]” (1 Tim. 4:14)
I’m too busy being a mother right now.
Join us for Wordfull Wednesday! Write a post about “One thing I’ve learned from motherhood that I never expected to learn.” Then come back and link up!
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I was blog hopping and came across your site. This was a beautiful post, thank you so much for writing it. And it looks like you have a beautiful family too. 🙂 I look forward to exploring your blog.
Radel
http://www.dailymomhappiness.blogspot.com
Love this. Beautiful reminder. I am sooo grateful to be a mother!
I am the same way…. I was not to fond of other children, but I love my own! I love being a mom and I love that I get to do that every day.
thank you for your post!
Thank you! I loved this!!!
What a wonderful lesson to learn about yourself. I too am defined as a mother. What a beautiful thing to claim.
(and because my computer apparently hates me again, I can’t link up. I will try again later. I am really not loving technology today. :D)
I love your post so much! Thank you! (I didn’t care much for babysitting either, but I really love being Mom.) For some reason the linky site is being incredibly slow and I don’t have time to wait for it anymore. So here’s my post address: http://lybertyfindingbeautiful.blogspot.com/2011/05/wordfull-wednesday.html
I may try the linky again later.
I have always loved that quote from Sheri Dew!
I have always loved children, loved babysitting, and wanted a big family. We have been blessed with one sweet boy (still holding out hope that more will follow) and I am thankful every day that he has given me the best job in the world! I cannot imagine defining myself as anything more important than a mother. Thanks for this great post!
I can relate…with no kids younger than me and babysitting being more about the organizing I could do (as in bags and prizes and activities I could create) having kids was kind of a shock! Good thing they come with lots of love themselves!
I absolutely loved this post! So much that I did a quick write up and added it onto your list here! I just hope it links to the right post in the future, and not just to the last blog post (my blog HTML needs help).
Thanks a million for your fabulous inspiration!
Corine 😀
corinesmiles.blogspot.com
I just love you views, thoughts, and feelings on motherhood! Thank you for sharing your wonderfulness!
I too loved that talk by Sis. Dew — I remember where I was when I listened to it, holding tightly to my husband’s hands with tears streaming down my face praying that I would be able to be a mom someday.
Reading that scripture:
“For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:33)
I can only wonder: Do I now value that gift I was given as much as I longed for it then?
I love this reminder that mothering is a gift given to all women. Beautiful post Cocoa.
Judi 🙂
lovely post Monste! This is certainly not the career I EVER thought I would have, but one that I treasure and cherish.
Totally love this today!! It is a wonderful tribute to motherhood.
I loved this post and the pictures are priceless. I too didn’t realize how great motherhood is until I started having my children. I had six children and now I have 30 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. My link to your post is about some of my thoughts now.
Blessings to you!
I love love love this post. I think there is so much beauty on reflecting on motherhood while in the midst of motherhood. 🙂
I’m linking up my post from today as it seems to fit the theme.
Blessings to you!
Rachel
OK, its Friday, not Wednesday, but better late than never right?
I live this post! Thank you! I love your blog, but this post is a favorite.
I actually really loved kids, babysat a ton, was a teacher, etc before having my own kids. I thought the transition to motherhood would be smooth sailing. Motherhood is so wonderful and amazing, but more difficult than I anticipated. One unexpected change that happened is I like other peoples’ kids less now. I’m not sure why (or how) that happened. But I’m working on loving all children as Christ does.
What a beautifully written post! Those pictures are gorgeous, as well as the story. So inspiring – I absolutely loved reading it!
What about women who cannot have children? Or don’t want children? I think it’s a little closed minded to sum up someone’s purpose in life to their private parts and what they can do. I know plenty of childless women who have made a real difference in the world.
Love, love, love this post! So glad I can stop feeling guilty that I love to be a mom! There’s a reason I feel this way – God designed me for this!