Well one thought I have on motherhood is that mothers are called to mother more than just their own children. Women have a great capacity for love. Last year, when we were learning from the Joseph Smith manual, there was a principle that really stood out to me. It was to the effect that, if we think that helping our own family is enough, we're wrong. We're called to uplift, faith build, and comfort those around us. I strongly believe those divine attributes often used to describe mothers is of the same principle. We not only nurture, comfort and love our own children, but others around us. Even if a mother has grown children or a woman who has no children at all, we all have been given gifts as women to give service and love. Here's a quote I like by Ardeth Kapp: We can all rejoice in the sacred calling of motherhood. To give birth is only one part of this sacred mission...But to help another gain eternal life is a privilege that is neither denied to nor delayed for any worthy woman. Another nice quote by Jeffrey Holland: You are doing God's work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you, and He will bless you, even-no, especially--when your days and your nights may be most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Mastery's garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and weep over their responsibility as mothers, 'Daughter, be of good comfort; they faith hath made thee whole'. And it will make your children whole as well" (Because she is a Mother," 37).
--Hope these thoughts were helpful! :) Glad you're moving back!!
I agree with what Stacey said. Sherry L. Dew has written a ton on the subject of we are ALL Mothers. You can google it. Also my friend has a blog that she writes called WE ARE all MOTHERS. You might find some really great quotes and stuff there to use in your talk as well.
Hey Myril, My Aunt always does a write up for each of her bookstore newsletter. Yesterday's was all about motherhood. I loved it and thought you might enjoy it as well.
Sheri Dew says “Motherhood is more than bearing children. . . . It is the essence of who we are as women.” In her talk Are We Not All Mothers, she acknowledges that "The subject of motherhood is a very tender one, for it evokes some of our greatest joys and heartaches. This has been so from the beginning. Eve was "glad" after the Fall, realizing she otherwise "never should have had seed." And yet, imagine her anguish over Cain and Abel. Some mothers experience pain because of the children they have borne; others feel pain because they do not bear children here. About this Elder John A. Widtsoe was explicit: "Women who through no fault of their own cannot exercise the gift of motherhood directly, may do so vicariously." For reasons known to the Lord, some women are required to wait to have children. This delay is not easy for any righteous woman. But the Lord's timetable for each of us does not negate our nature. Some of us, then, must simply find other ways to mother. And all around us are those who need to be loved and led."
Thank you all for your comments. I have found as I prepare for this talk I am having moments of raw emotion as I realize what is entailed with being a Mother and have such a wonderful mother. I feel blessed. Way to go all of you for your work, dilligence and endurance in being such wonderful Mothers. You rock! As I am finding out how hard it truly can be I am in awe of how you all keep it together so well.
Well one thought I have on motherhood is that mothers are called to mother more than just their own children. Women have a great capacity for love. Last year, when we were learning from the Joseph Smith manual, there was a principle that really stood out to me. It was to the effect that, if we think that helping our own family is enough, we're wrong. We're called to uplift, faith build, and comfort those around us. I strongly believe those divine attributes often used to describe mothers is of the same principle. We not only nurture, comfort and love our own children, but others around us. Even if a mother has grown children or a woman who has no children at all, we all have been given gifts as women to give service and love.
ReplyDeleteHere's a quote I like by Ardeth Kapp:
We can all rejoice in the sacred calling of motherhood. To give birth is only one part of this sacred mission...But to help another gain eternal life is a privilege that is neither denied to nor delayed for any worthy woman.
Another nice quote by Jeffrey Holland:
You are doing God's work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you, and He will bless you, even-no, especially--when your days and your nights may be most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Mastery's garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and weep over their responsibility as mothers, 'Daughter, be of good comfort; they faith hath made thee whole'. And it will make your children whole as well" (Because she is a Mother," 37).
--Hope these thoughts were helpful! :) Glad you're moving back!!
I agree with what Stacey said. Sherry L. Dew has written a ton on the subject of we are ALL Mothers. You can google it. Also my friend has a blog that she writes called WE ARE all MOTHERS. You might find some really great quotes and stuff there to use in your talk as well.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
HAppy Easter too!
Oops. Here is the link to my friend's blog. HA ha. Sorry about that.
ReplyDeletehttp://weareallmothers.blogspot.com/
I quote I heard at leadership last week: As Mothers you were given an awesome task, but you were also given the ability to match that task.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the talk.
Hey Myril,
ReplyDeleteMy Aunt always does a write up for each of her bookstore newsletter. Yesterday's was all about motherhood. I loved it and thought you might enjoy it as well.
Sheri Dew says “Motherhood is more than bearing children. . . . It is the essence of who we are as women.” In her talk Are We Not All Mothers, she acknowledges that "The subject of motherhood is a very tender one, for it evokes some of our greatest joys and heartaches. This has been so from the beginning. Eve was "glad" after the Fall, realizing she otherwise "never should have had seed." And yet, imagine her anguish over Cain and Abel. Some mothers experience pain because of the children they have borne; others feel pain because they do not bear children here. About this Elder John A. Widtsoe was explicit: "Women who through no fault of their own cannot exercise the gift of motherhood directly, may do so vicariously." For reasons known to the Lord, some women are required to wait to have children. This delay is not easy for any righteous woman. But the Lord's timetable for each of us does not negate our nature. Some of us, then, must simply find other ways to mother. And all around us are those who need to be loved and led."
Thank you all for your comments. I have found as I prepare for this talk I am having moments of raw emotion as I realize what is entailed with being a Mother and have such a wonderful mother. I feel blessed. Way to go all of you for your work, dilligence and endurance in being such wonderful Mothers. You rock! As I am finding out how hard it truly can be I am in awe of how you all keep it together so well.
ReplyDelete