I sometimes wonder if my mother could be the same parent today as she was in the 50’s. Although the voices of culture have made radical changes in family life, I believe she could. Her child-rearing principles were unchanging.
Challenges are countless for the moms of today. I speak with many women who are weary busy.
I understand. I remember.
Oh, but the challenges of yesteryear moms must have seemed overwhelming!
Think about the ancient moms of the Bible. The garden mom, Eve, the first woman to have a baby! Wow! No books, no midwife. After the fall, she suffered the heartbreak of dysfunction in her family . . . brother against brother.
The sacred mama of Jesus labored while on a donkey, birthing her holy baby on the floor of a cave. And then, this young mom had the responsibility to teach and protect the baby Messiah.
Fast forward to the time of television moms . . . extremes from June Cleaver to Peg Bundy, the “ladies we’ve learned from” . . . My admiration was for the patient and wise Caroline Ingalls, the pioneer mom of Little House on the Prairie.
She never had a melt down.
Through the ages, God’s design for the amazing role of mother-dom is unchanging . . . to give life, teach, nurture and protect the heritage He has given us. It has been my privilege to be a mom, no matter the stage my children were growing through, no matter the season I was going through. I have learned much from them.
And, unlike Ma Ingalls, I’ve had a melt down. . . .
No matter how our culture changes, a mother’s heart remains.
I look to my own mom, an everlasting example to me . . . not a biblical mom, not a tv mom, but a practical woman with extravagant dedication to her family. Her eye was faithfully upon me clear, and remained upon me even when it became faded and framed with flesh time-lines . . . still holding out a wrinkled hand of help. She infused strength into and down to her great-granddaughters.
No matter what stage of mamahood or grammahood, we can be a strong influence and example to leave long after our homegoing.
So, on this I Remember Mama Day, I honor her, and I honor my children who have allowed me to be a lasting legacy in their life.
Children are our heritage. Our faith is their inheritance.
Her children rise up and call her blessed . . . Proverbs 31:28
Verna
Verna, so beautifully written!! You took us back to the past and made your writing very relevant to the future. I need you to teach me to do that. When can you come again? We just need to sit at our computers and learn from each other. Thanks for sharing with us, dear friend!
My delight to get together and learn from one another!
Yes, I often think of the moms of days gone by and the moms of today . . . . multi-colored challenges and blessings . . . always changes, and never changes!
Love the idea of the seasons we’re “growing through.” It reminds this perfectionist that we are all a work in progress. Soothing words, dear friend. Thank you!
. . . and they are many, right Mama? By God’s grace He brings us through those times. Thanks, Carolyn!
Beautiful post, Verna! I’m going to share this on my FB page! Thanks!
Oh, you are a love to do that . . . thank you so much, Vonda!
Beautifully written, Verna. A great reminder of wonderful mother’s in the past and to cherish my own Mom.
Thank you, Lee . . . may we always be mindful to cherish our moms . . .
Amen!
I too admire Caroline Ingalls. I hope kids still read those books today!
Me, too! So glad for the reruns for my grandchildren . . . my children loved the books and the program. Everyone is grown and I’m still a faithful viewer. . . Thank you, Julie!