Gratefulness for the Vocation of Motherhood

"When we had our children, our ideas changed somewhat. Thenceforward, we lived only for them; they made all our happiness and we would never have found it save in them. In fact, nothing any longer cost us anything; the world was no longer a burden to us. As for me, my children were my great compensation, so that I wished to have many in order to bring them up for Heaven."--Venerable Zelie Martin, mother of St. Therese, the Little Flower

I cannot begin to share with you what an enormous amount of love I have in my heart for each of my children.  I fight the tears when I think about how blessed my husband and I are to have these souls entrusted in our care.  Surely, we have our share of normal family frustrations; arguing, backtalk, chaotic hours in the day, but the whole of it is pure joy. 

I really believe that the biggest blessing, as well as challenge, to me as a mother has been the repetitive dying to self, forming the habit of putting others first.  It is so very difficult yet so very simple.  It is the one consistent task at hand each day.  Who will I serve? God or Self? I hope, as I grow each day in my role as mother, that the correct choice will come easily to me.   

The vocation of motherhood is joyful regardless of the trials, the sickness, the financial stresses, come what may.  The world is selling women fame, fortune and control but we, as mothers, are instead living a life of complete abandonment and of service to others.  The happiness to be had, the freedom to be found within this vocation is enormous and is ours for the asking simply by serving as Christ served. 

There are days, however, when the drudgery of the task, the fatigue of my body, my desire to be appreciated get the best of me and I falter, complaining as I go about my work, grumbling while I perform my chores.  But when I look upon it all at the end of the day, I repent of my selfishness and short sightedness.  I hold that tiny hand and gaze into those blue eyes with the long, long lashes and give thanks.  God is Good.  All the time.

Comments

[Amy]

This is such a beautiful post. What a blessing that you understand what life is all about!

[Cay in La.]

Beautiful, Rebecca.

[Karen E.]

Beautiful, Rebecca. Yes, yes, and yes to all of it.

[Shawna]

Thank you Rebecca. I NEED this reminder all the time. Applying God's perspective to this vocation of motherhood brings freedom and joy...and thanksgiving. At the end of the day, even when its been a very trying one, there is nothing I'd rather be doing.

[Mary Ellen Barrett]

What a beautiful reflection Rebecca.

[Meredith]

This is sooo where I am right now, thank you for sharing your words here, I won't have time to write anything poignant for Mother's day as we'll be moving so I'm linking you!! Hugs, and you're a GREAT mother!!

[Rebecca]

We are so blessed to be mothers of these little souls! Thank you for your kind words, ladies.

[Donna Marie]

Rebecca!
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful post! Happy Mother's Day!!

[Elinor]

Hi, I've only just stumbled across this blog, but could you tell me the source of that quote? I understand the Martins originally had a continent marriage and then realised they should have children....I am dealing with a personal situation where any discussion of how they came to this understanding this would be extremely valuable.