(Ej is my wonderful wife and the author of this article.)
It’s so tempting to expect great things on this day. To expect to relax. To get enough sleep. To breeze through the day. To be catered to. To not cook, not wash, not change a diaper, nor feed a baby. I planned to get up feeling refreshed, have all 5 kids bathe and dress themselves, get themselves in the car and to church silently while I breezed along with them. No spankings, no stern voices and no repeating myself. It is Mother’s Day after all. Don’t they know?
But as I’m feeling aggravated at them I realize how selfish, and honestly hypocritical I am. As I’m worshiping myself, I stop and wonder “what is Mother’s Day anyway?” It’s to honor moms. I am a mom. This is who I am. This day is recognizing the work I’m doing daily. So what is it saying of me if I repel that work today? “Honor me as I deny my calling.” “Honor me while I sit here and pamper myself for an entire day while my kids wonder what’s rocked their world. Where’s mom?!”
I believe it’s healthy for my kids to appreciate me and to learn how to honor me and my work, to serve me sometimes too. They will learn; their dad will teach them. But they’re five and under today. What am I expecting?? Magic? No. Flowers? Sure. All those things listed above (cooking, cleaning, nursing, diapers, teaching) are my duties and I love them all. I enjoy doing them. I would feel lost if I didn’t do them all today. They define me- it’s where I fit.
This day is to honor moms but for moms to be encouraged and to embrace their calling and their work. Invest in these little people- everyday (even today)- and you will be blessed.
Now, maybe when they’re all out of the house, I’ll sleep in and it’ll be quiet and peaceful and they’ll pamper me! Until then, I keep on sowing. So, please, moms- don’t run away from your calling and your people you serve. Embrace them and do what you do and be honored by doing it.
