Mothers come in five basic varieties.
First, there are the mothers who want to be mothers . . . and can be. They welcome their pregnancies and look forward to the prospect of motherhood. They either sacrifice their careers forever, or for a time, to take on a job that is 24/7 and no pay, or they learn to juggle the responsibility of having two full time jobs. Either way, motherhood is not for the fainthearted.
Second, there are those women who did not plan on becoming pregnant but are. Now the first of these mothers decides that she will have and keep the child with, but more likely without, the help of the father. It is often a daunting and selfless course she has set herself on, for almost always, plans for her future are put on hold or discarded permanently. Often these mothers have to navigate all the minefields of parenting alone. However, how many times have we seen a successful son or daughter, whether on the national scene or in the neighborhood, credit the sacrifice and support of that single mother for their successes.
The second of these women who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy realize that they cannot provide (financially, emotionally) adequately for this child, BUT they choose to carry the child to term and then relinquish the right of motherhood to another. Though this scenario seems like the easiest of the paths, I can not imagine how tough and emotional this must be for the mother. It is a selfless and difficult act.
In the fourth group are those women who desire to be a mother but can’t naturally, so they adopt. Mothers who choose to love another’s child and raise him or her as her own. A mother who puts aside all the bitterness of barrenness and embraces the child that God has given her.
Finally, there are those mothers who step up to fill the gap for those mothers who have failed to properly care and protect their children, or who have lost the right to mother their children through their actions. These mothers will foster—raise, encourage—until the birth mother is able to step back in.
No matter which way you look at it, motherhood is not easy. It is sacrificial and selfless. Mothers are to be celebrated and cherished. And when you think about it, a father can’t be a father unless a mother wants to be a mother first.
A friend shared the following song by Anne Wilson on Facebook on Mothers Day. I have been looking for an excuse to share it with you ever since. I think I found it. Enjoy