Motherhood: A True Gift, a Sacred Mission

Cassie Everts contemplates the minute-by-minute, lifelong challenges and gifts of motherhood.

The days seem long, the nights even longer. Still, the months and years vanish before our eyes. What was once soothing a newborn cry becomes kissing a scraped knee, then cheering up a long face after not making the team. Nursing the baby back to sleep, becomes woken to little feet scampering on the floor during a thunderstorm, then staying awake waiting for them to come home. Time doesn’t stop or, some days, even pause for us to take in the breath of the moment.

Motherhood.

We face days filled with sheer exhaustion. The dishes, laundry, meals, and messes. The chaos, tantrums, and sleepless nights. Becoming difficult at times to see beyond the minute we may feel stuck in. Counting down until dinner or bedtime, feeling weary at the thought of doing it all again tomorrow. Wondering if I even have anything more to give.

Motherhood.

The history of every human being passes through the threshold of a woman’s motherhood. (St. John Paul II)

Feeling our hearts break and shatter when we see our children hurt or suffering. Hoping and praying they know how immensely we love them, even more so, how immensely God loves them. Longing to see them grow, flourish, and ultimately follow God’s will for their life.

Motherhood.

Enjoying the snuggles, the hugs, the sweet words of affection. The smiles, the joy and the laughter. Trying to capture each moment, wishing to forever imprint it on our hearts. Feeling the small hand in ours and the head resting upon our chest. The child reaching up to be held with the newly formed words, “Mama.”

Motherhood.

Every human person owes his or her life to a mother. (Pope Francis)

Oh, how the seasons of motherhood at times seem to never change. The baby is crying and dinner is burning with piles of laundry waiting to be folded. Each child seeming to need you at the exact same moment. The day-to-day, the caring for, correcting, and coddling. Finding ourselves so consumed about the unknown that we lose sight of the present moment. The here and now. The joy and love in each moment, the struggles and the victories. The messes and the snuggles.

Motherhood.

While the season may seem to be on repeat, time is racing by too quickly. Another year gone, vanished before our eyes. Finding ourselves another year closer to our once little ones being grown and leaving the house. Left in moments of question, wondering if I am living up to the job. Am I a good enough mom? Can I really do this? Will they succeed? Will they love God? Will they remember me?

Motherhood.

Beating ourselves up over what should have been or could have been, forgetting that God has called us to this and He will equip us with the strength and the grace that we need. Even in our imperfections, Christ is perfecting their hearts with every prayer we whisper. In the end it is God who works through us; it is He who works in our children. In that is gift. In that is peace.

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Even in our imperfections, Christ is perfecting their hearts with every prayer we whisper. #catholicmom

Motherhood.

This is not just a job, but a calling and a vocation. A true gift, a sacred mission entrusted to us. His beloved placed in the arms of our care, protection, and love. Our path to holiness, if only we allow it to transform our hearts. To allow the trials, frustrations, endless giving, heartaches and sacrifices to be our offering to God. The joys, laughter, smiles, snuggles, and bliss to be a prayer of praise.

Motherhood.

Truly how great a calling, how blessed are we to receive this mission. To be the first ones to introduce our children to Christ. To show them Christ’s endless love and mercy. To shape their hearts and when their mission is fulfilled to place them back in the hands of the God who created them. In every season of motherhood, in the silence and noise, in the quiet and chaos, in the sorrow and joy, in the bringing forth and letting go, may we never forget the glory of our call.

Motherhood.

Motherhood is the gift of God to women. How grateful we must be to God for this wonderful gift that brings such joy to the whole world. (St. Teresa of Calcutta)

I invite you to listen to this most beautiful song: "Mamastery" by Danielle Rose. Make it your prayer, your heart’s song, and never forget the irreplaceable value and worth of your motherhood.

Copyright 2021 Cassie Everts
Images (from top): Giullaume de Germain (2020), Unsplash; Liana Mikah (2019), Unsplash