But what about that mother who has to go it alone in the upbringing of the children? What allows her to go without sleep, to work to provide financial support, juggle and balance books to find a way to keep things going, yet also be there in person for her children when needed? Quite simply, it's all about love and sacrifice. It's leaving no stone left unturned in order to keep her family safe and secure, showing braveness in her duties even though she has great worry and concern and so often sacrificing her own happiness for their sake. It's truly awe inspiring to watch and when God is in the equation in her unselfish gift of giving, it is second only in the human element to the gift given us by Jesus Christ when he died on the cross to save us from our sinful selves.
I have great admiration for the work of a mother, and even more so for a widowed mother or one who has been through divorce, and that comes from my own personal experience. My mother experienced the pain of losing her husband, my dad, while facing the task of getting three children ready to face the world on their own. I know it was tough for her and as I grew older we would talk about it candidly, and she told me that her life meant nothing if we three children weren't ready to go out on our own. It meant she had to instill her standards for living, her faith and her hopes and dreams in us, all by herself. It was not an easy task, although it's not easy for a married mother either. But having to face the uncertainties and the trials and tribulations of this world in order to do what she must do all by herself makes her effort oh, so special when she succeeds. There are so many evil forces out there which try to tempt her to to not live up to her requirement, yet the good mother always puts her precious children first, sacrificing her on desires and needs for them and God looks down on her and smiles.
Think about that from God's perspective. God is the father of all of us, but in the case of the good mother, she successfully fulfills the preeminent requirement of what she was placed on earth to fulfill. From conception onward, she had the task of carrying the creation to term, feeling and connecting with the new life which will be born helpless and needs extensive nurturing and care. She became the principal nurturer and over time helps the child develop so that he or she will also have the tools and the moral compass to carry out what is expected by God in their life as well. So, God bless all good mothers, with a special praise to those who succeeded at their task all alone. They are special, they are all beautiful in their own way and for what they do they will ultimately receive God's final reward: Salvation. And if you have one of those special mothers still here on earth, stay close to her and love her. And if she's gone, talk with her in your prayers every day. I feel certain that God will connect you to her and her spirit will be felt by you and comfort you even today. God bless you all and God bless good mothers, everywhere.