When I think about Mother's Day, I have mixed feelings. These range from feelings of inadequacy to those of joy and happiness. When each new baby was place in my arms, I felt an almost overpowering feeling of responsibility for this new little one, come straight from heaven, and my ability to provide and teach all that she or he would need to survive in this busy, crazy, fun, exciting and often dangerous world. Did I have the skills, the patience, enough love to do this? Would I be able to teach, correct with love, set a good example? Could I possibly have enough faith and mothering skills to help this innocent, pure and most beautiful child return to their Father in Heaven? And I have learned a very simple and basic principle over the years.......
Of course not! That would take a PERFECT mother and that is something I am not. But with someone else's help [a perfect someone else] I can do all that is required of me for good.
A few years ago, during a particularly discouraging mothering time, I discovered something that has become one of my favorite and replenishing exercises. I read what God says about Mothers and Motherhood through His holy prophets. I soak in His love for me through their words. I put back in to perspective what I should be doing and what I can accomplish, by learning the principles He has taught about Moms. I feast upon His words and not what the world says about what is important and right and good. And I feel better and more able to go on, no matter what is happening around me.
And so I recommend this little exercise to you as well. With the praises and hoopla of Mother's Day, there will come equally worrisome, discouraging and disheartening times for you, as mothers. Take a few quiet moments over several days or weeks [ it will take you that long to read what all the prophets and scriptures say about mothers] and soak in His words about you, one of His precious Mothers and be uplifted!
Here are just a few of my favorites:
From Pres. Hinckley........
" Rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know how. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."
"No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God."
From Pres. Joseph F. Smith.....
"No love in all the world can equal the love of a true mother..... It was life to me; it was strength; it was encouragement....I knew she loved me with all her heart.... There was no sacrifice of self-of her own time, of her leisure or pleasure, or opportunites for rest- that was considered for a moment, when it was compared with her duty and her love to her children."
And though he wasn't a prophet of God, his words echo truely........
From William Ross Wallace........
"Blessings on the hand of woman! Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel, Oh, no matter where the place.
Would that never storms assailed it, Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle, Is the hand that rules the world.
Woman, how divine your mission, Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open, Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages, Are from mother-love impearled.
For the hand that rocks the cradle, Is the hand that rules the world.
So, in tribute to my Mother, my 8 Daughters [in-laws included], my Grandmothers and every Sister who has had an influence in my life, I say thank you. Your love and influence has made all the difference in my life.
