Allow me to stray a bit from my typical blog content, and reflect on something the Lord is working on in my heart.
This last weekend was Mother's Day, as you well know. Over the last few years, since becoming a new mom, this has quickly become my favorite holiday. My favorite holiday used to be Valentines Day--anyone else love to hand out valentines to all your friends?

I will still hold a special fondness for Valentines Day, but these days the position of favorite goes to Mother's Day.
The reason I love Mother's Day so much has everything to do with my three boys, and my husband, who does a wonderful job of honoring me. I cherish this day as a time to remember my first son, Collin, and the blessing he was and is to us. I also stop with renewed reverence as I thank God for the gifts he has given me in my sons. It is such a privilege to be a mom, and sometimes I can forget that. Sometimes I forget how great a responsibility the Lord has given me to nurture and LOVE my boys. (Titus 2:4, "...admonish the young women to...love their children.") It is a God-given responsibility to instruct them in the things of the Lord and make sure they are learning how to act in society. Not to mention, keeping them safe and healthy (these two things can prove very difficult at times, with boys!) I thank God for making me a mom!
In the last 8 months I have been challenged a few times in my parenting. God has brought some circumstances into our lives that has made this burden for mothering much greater on my heart. I have had to deal with tough questions like, how can I really keep my children safe from people who want to harm them or don't love them with a Christlike love? Or, how can I trust that everyone has my child's best interest in mind? Or, should I compromise my view of parenting when another parent wants me to more closely resemble theirs? These questions, and others like them, were not just ones that popped into my head from some irrational fear or insecurity...they are valid questions that were raised because of some difficult and uncomfortable circumstances. These questions are also raised simply because we move so often...how do we know who to trust with our kids if we just met them two weeks ago--this is a constant situation we face.
I am still working through the process of considering these questions and not letting it slip into irrational fear, distrust or bitterness. It is good to be careful, but not to worry or have irrational fear. The Lord protects, the Lord is sovereign. He loves my boys even more than I do. He does always have their best interest in mind and He will take care of us through any circumstance.
I am convinced that these are good questions to think through and answer, seeking God's wisdom. As Judah and Asher's mom, I am supposed to be guarding their hearts and minds and keeping them safe. It is my job to be watchful, to be careful, to be alert and protective. To take precautions and foresee danger. To feed them when they are hungry and to feed them spiritually as well. When my patience is thin, to draw on the strength of the Lord to show them Christlike love and humility. I get the privilege of doing this and of loving them unconditionally. In return I have the pleasure of receiving their love, but I also more fully understand God and His love for me.
Being a mother is a blessing! Nothing has taught me more about myself and about God. As my boys grow bigger and we have the joy of interacting and communicating more with each other, I only realize this blessing and responsibility more. I thank God for giving my sons to me and that includes my dear Collin, who I treasure and look forward to seeing again in heaven.
I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day, remembering your moms and, if it applies, thanking God for your children. I hope you all have a good week! Thanks for reading and for praying!