Happy Mother’s Day To “That Mama”.

That mama who is organized, scheduled, and prepared.

That mama who is spontaneous free of all care.

That mama who is up while the house is still dark.

That mama who’s still sleeping when it’s past nine o’clock.

That mama who plans every meal with great care.

That mama who has the five o’clock fridge stare.

That mama who offers only organic whole foods.

That mama who doesn’t care so long as it tastes good.

That mama who is super strict on media intake.

That mama who see’s it as her much needed break.

That mama who speaks only in soft, gentle tones.

That mama who has no problem making herself known.

That mama who’s crafty, creative and artistic.

That mama who tries but honestly hates it.

That mama who wears make-up and dresses her best.

That mama who looks like a crazy hot mess.

That mama, the Pinterest mama, we all want to be.

That mama, the not Pinterest mama..well…um…me.

That mama who laughs, who is joyful and bright.

That mama who feels like she’s done nothing right.

That mama who ends the day satisfied, at rest.

That mama who is crying and only survived the day at best.

That mama who is patient, who is gentle and kind.

That mama who wants to be but feels she’s losing her mind.

That mama who has learned much, is knowledgable and wise.

That mama who feels her own ignorance might be her demise.

Mama, dear mama, no matter what you do,

We’re taking a day to celebrate you.

I wrote this as I did with a purpose. Generally speaking , as moms, we’ve had days where we’ve felt or been every one of these. Some of these mama habits are simply differences. Every mom is unique in her talents and abilities and interests and its BEAUTIFUL! It reflects in how we mama, and its really a neat thing! Some days are simply better than others, or perhaps just different than the one before.

Some days I try so hard to be that Pinterest worthy mama, and other days I come to my senses and realize it really won’t matter in the end.

But some of these contrasts are a bit more painful. Some days are filled with victories and some burdened with failures. Sometimes we are the mamas we want to be even in all our beautiful differences. And sometimes we see our own sin and know we’ve failed miserably.

There are days I feel like motherhood is something I was born for, made for, something I live for! And other days, I feel like an imposter who is simply trying to make it to bed time.

Sometimes I feel as though I honored my Lord in how I mama’d that day…others I could cry tears of shame at my failure. Some days I rely on His strength, but so many days I try to go it alone.

We celebrate “that mama” this weekend, not because she’s perfect. We don’t celebrate because she did it all right. We don’t celebrate because she was perfectly consistent and conquered every mountain this year.

We celebrate “that mama”, because motherhood is a God-given blessing that was not bestowed on accident. We celebrate “that mama” because motherhood is one of the greatest examples of, not perfection, but sanctification.

Motherhood grows a woman like almost nothing else. Because it’s the one thing she’ll do that takes all she has, and unlike any other career, some days, there’s no payoff. But she does it anyway. Even when she failed the day before, she gets up and tries again.

And, if she’s trusting in the One who blessed her with the little people she watches over each day, she’ll grow. She’ll blossom. She’ll learn. She’ll give the grace to other’s that she knows she needs so badly herself. And, by that same grace, she’ll raise children who watched that growth, were inspired and encouraged, and will hopefully seek the God who so freely bestows it.

So, to “that mama”, you are all of us. We are all in need of God’s grace, all in need of each other’s grace, and we all could use a day that says “Thank you!”

So, let’s do this thing. Happy Mother’s Day, dear friends!