Thoughts on Motherhood

 Being a mother takes sacrifice. 

I have given up so much.

From the moment of conception, my body was given away for the pleasure, purpose, and enrichment of someone else.   Thus began my journey of complete sacrifice.  

When I became a mother, I surrendered – body and soul. 

My womb became a shelter for a growing life, protecting it from the evils of this world.

My hands became tools to change diapers, to clothe, to bathe, to rock.

My bosom became an endless buffet of nourishment for a hungry child.

My feet became instruments to carry me up and down the halls, walking until the colicky cries subsided.

My shoulders became pillows for a weary toddler head.

My knees became hinges to both rock my body, in a mothering dance, until sleep overtakes the weary one, and to bow my body in fervent prayer for a watchful charge of angels to stand in my stead over his bed.

My voice became an all-night radio of lullabies.

My fingers became safety bars for a wobbly toddler, and the feathery stroke of comfort on the cheeks of a feverish child.

My ears became sonars, intently tuned to the frequency of small sounds in the night; a wimpering baby, a thirsty toddler, a fearful child, and someday, I’m sure – a tiptoeing teenager.

My eyes became x-rays – observing everything – seeing past surface awareness and assessing scenarios like only a mother can – with the keenness of a secret agent.

My mind is captive to thoughts of my children – no daydream is complete without a wandering to thoughts of them.

My heart is held prisoner by their love. 

Everything I am is now punctuated by this first and noble role, and I will never be the same. 

Yes, I have sacrificed a lot.

I have given away every part of me to fulfill this purpose, but in the beautiful way he always does, God gives it all back ten-fold. 

When pudgy hands reach out to hold mine, my hands are mine again – better hands than before.

When I dance around the living room, with his little feet on mine – my feet are mine again – better feet than before.

When he runs to me with open arms to fling around my shoulders and climbs on to my knees for a story and a snuggle, my shoulders and knees are mine again – better shoulders and knees than before.

When he whispers, “I love you mommy.”  And I whisper back, “I love you too.”  My ears and my voice become mine again – much greater ears, and a much greater voice than before.  

When I became a mother, every sense was heightened. 

Awareness was elevated to a new level. 

Pleasure and pride became a euphoric bursting in my chest.

Pain and anguish became agonizing depths of desperation.

Peace and comfort became abiding .

Love multiplied like sunshine on mirrors.

As I reflect on the things I have “given up” to be a mother, I am reminded that whatever God asks us to give away, he returns to us in greater measure than we could ever imagine.  I purpose to live my life looking expectantly in faith for those moments of return on my investment.   I know they will come, and they will be many. 

Mothers, I leave you with these encouragements from the words of God…”Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…”

“Therefore, Be not weary in well doing, for in due season, ye shall reap, if ye faint not!”

What moments can you point to in your mothering journey when you recognized that God has given you back “above all that you could ask or imagine,” and the sacrifices you made that seemed so great at the time, became small in the light of the blessings you have received. 

I don’t know about you, but my cup runneth over!

Happy Mother’s Day to the beautiful women in my life who continue to teach me what being a mother really means.  With special love and a grateful heart to my own mother, Kathryn Maldonado, whose sacrifices for me were greater than most.  

With love,

Corrina

Mother to Luke – age 5, and his brother – scheduled to arrive in this world on June 18^th.