--- title: I Wanted to Be a Mother description: As her son turns eighteen, Jen Scheuermann reflects on her initial desire to be a mother. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20231211%20JScheuermann%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/i-wanted-to-be-a-mother#) [PARENTING](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/parenting) # I Wanted to Be a Mother Dec 11, 2023 11:30:00 AM  |  by [Jennifer Scheuermann](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/jennifer-scheuermann) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20231211%20JScheuermann%201.png) *As her son turns eighteen, Jen Scheuermann reflects on her initial desire to be a mother. * --- Eighteen years ago, I held you for the first time.   I didn’t know everything I valued would change in an instant— the very instant you were placed in my arms.  I only knew I wanted to be a mother.   I didn’t understand then that motherhood was a vocation— a calling from God, a path to my own sanctification.  I only knew I wanted to be a mother.   I didn’t understand the long wait to conceive was part of God’s plan,  and that one day I’d glimpse the beauty of His perfect timing.  I only knew I wanted to be a mother.   I didn’t understand He would love you even more than I do,  and that He’d ask me to trust Him with all that happens to you. I only knew I wanted to be a mother.   I didn’t understand God would use you to teach me about myself,  and I never imagined loving you would help me receive His love for me.  I only knew I wanted to be a mother.   I didn’t understand that participating in your creation would further my own,   as mothering you has helped me become who God created me to be.  I only knew I wanted to be a mother.   God knew it would be too much for me to know these things eighteen years ago,   so in His perfect wisdom,   He filled me only with the desire to be a mother.    > [Click to tweet: > I didn’t understand God would love you even more than I do, and that He’d ask me to trust Him with all that happens to you. #CatholicMom](https://ctt.ac/dzea1) ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20231211%20JScheuermann%202.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20231211%20JScheuermann%202.png)   --- Copyright 2023 Jennifer Scheuermann Images: Canva ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-wanted-to-be-a-mother%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-wanted-to-be-a-mother%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-wanted-to-be-a-mother%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=I%20Wanted%20to%20Be%20a%20Mother) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-wanted-to-be-a-mother%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fi-wanted-to-be-a-mother%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Jennifer Scheuermann](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/JenScheuermann.jpg) ### [Jennifer Scheuermann](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/jennifer-scheuermann) While living out her vocations of marriage, motherhood, and health care provider, Jen is often found on the sidelines of a ball game, searching for shade while cheering on her sons. An early riser, she sits with Jesus while it’s still dark and blogs about their conversations at [Early Morning Coffee With Jesus](https://www.earlyamcoffeewithjesus.com/). Get to know her more on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/earlyamcoffeewithjesus/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/earlyAMcoffeewithJesus). [**](https://www.facebook.com/earlyAMcoffeewithJesus) ## Related Blog Articles [ May I Wash Your Feet? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/may-i-wash-your-feet) [ Hold On to Who You Are Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/hold-on-to-who-you-are) [ The Night God Took my Anger Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/the-night-god-took-my-anger) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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