I stand in awe of so many women who are mothers and so many women who love as mothers do. Their examples of humility and dedication, courage and love, motivate me to be strong. Thank you mothers, teachers, and nurturers for all that you do.
This past Mother’s Day I reflected on my mother’s love. What is it that gives a woman the desire to create and nurture life? What is it that sustains her through all the times of infertility or miscarriage, pregnancy sickness or sleepless nights, toddler tantrums or teenage battles? Many women open up their hearts to all of the unknowns of motherhood, as well as the pain and the joy that comes with loving someone else so much that it can actually hurt. With all of this, these women know that the beauty of this love is worth all the pain, messes, sleepless nights, and worry. They trust that although they don’t know everything, they know enough. And they know they will be sustained by knowledge, hope, and faith through any difficulty or challenge.
Like Eve, these women walk with their husbands into the wilderness, trusting that the Savior will be there to support them. And like the Savior, they invite the little children to come unto them. They bless and nurture them with their bodies, souls, and minds. Yes, they find that human frailties make them weak and prone to stumble — but they keep moving. They keep stepping forward one moment, one hour, one day at a time. The deep joy and personal growth parents experience in the culmination of that dream is beautiful.
There are also many women I know who do not have children of their own, and they are some of the greatest nurturers I know. In that way they become mothers to many. They love and support, heal and teach. These women, like parents, choose to selflessly give of themselves to the betterment of others and devotedly care as the Savior does.
Neill F. Marriott, an American religious leader, stated: “Mothers literally make room in their bodies to nurture an unborn baby—and hopefully a place in their hearts as they raise them—but nurturing is not limited to bearing children. Eve was called a “mother” before she had children. I believe that “to mother” means “to give life.” Think of the many ways you give life. It could mean giving emotional life to the hopeless or spiritual life to the doubter. With the help of the Holy Ghost, we can create an emotionally healing place for the discriminated against, the rejected, and the stranger. In these tender yet powerful ways, we build the kingdom of God.”
I’m so grateful for the many women who have given me life through their love, care, and examples and who mentored me in how to nurture my children and others.
As I look into a child’s eyes, I see the hope and love that come from God. When I look even more deeply into their eyes, the innocence, purity, and goodness of a child motivate me to rise above my natural self. It is a privilege to be in the presence of a child. They engender everything we remember about living in the presence of God. Children help us to look toward the ultimate Example of who we want to become, so we are worthy of that precious gift. They are tender, pure, and full of hope. When I am in the presence of a baby, I feel to whisper at how near holiness I feel at their sight. It is beautiful.
I stand in awe of so many women who are mothers and so many women who love as mothers do. Their examples of humility and dedication, courage and love, motivate me to be strong. Thank you mothers, teachers, and nurturers for all that you do.
Invitation: Reflect on a person who has helped nurture you in some way. This could be a teacher, a friend, or a relative. Reach out and express appreciation to that person in a specific and meaningful way on a day other than Mother’s Day.
Check out another article on motherhood here or here!
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Photo Credit: Edward Cisneros on Unsplash
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