Reflections on Motherhood from an Empty Nester

Hanging with Mommy  (c) morguefiles.com

Motherhood is the lowest paid, most rewarding, hardest job you’ll ever love. Once you enter into it, you have the job for life, even if you outlive your children. Because motherhood not only changes your DNA, it changes your heart forever. You’ll no longer view a crying baby or Hallmark commercial in the same light. 

Letting Go: One of the most difficult tasks of motherhood is learning to let go. From the time the umbilical cord is cut, if you’re doing your job right, your child immediately begins his journey towards independence. You have to give him the freedom to fail, try new things and experience the world on his own terms. Especially when your child is an adult, you must allow him to choose his own path, even if you had other plans for him. 

Learn You Aren’t Perfect: When you were a little girl dreaming about mommy hood, you planned to be the perfect Mommy. But, June Cleaver is a fictional character. No mom is perfect and neither are her children. Relax. Understand you’ll make mistakes – some you’ll laugh over and some you’ll cry over. All you can do is your best and pray that God will cover your mistakes with His grace. 

Give Him Time: He may think he wants all the newest toys and designer labels, but in the end, all he wants is your love and attention. Do you want your child to thrive? Give him plenty of time and undivided attention. Because once you blink, he’s all grown up and there is no ‘do-over.’ 

Pray, pray, pray: Because you aren’t perfect, because he’s not perfect - because you’ll make some bad decisions and so will he - prayer is critical. When you feel guilty, inadequate, insecure, unsure, overwhelmed, unqualified, and in over your head, prayer will help. Pray for your child even when things are going well. Pray for his protection, for his spiritual life, and his future mate. Pray that you will be the parent he needs as he is growing and when he is grown. Pray that God will give you strength to be the very best parent you can be.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 (NIV)

Happy Mother’s Day!

Justice has been served - Osama Bin Laden dead

President Barak Obama confirms that Anti-American terrorist, Usama Bin Laden, is dead. Geraldo Rivera delivered breaking around 9:24pm (MST) Sunday night. Geraldo gleefully clapped as he jubilantly delivered this news.  

Although I understand Geraldo’s feelings, I cannot rejoice in anyone's demise, no matter how evil the man. Justice has been served in the death of Bin Laden; I am relieved, but I will not rejoice. This military operation demonstrates that America is a force to be reckoned with.

In his address to the nation, President Obama recognized the victims of 9-11, the unity of our country and the power of our military. America has never forgotten 9-11 and we never will. Bin Laden’s death will not ease our pain nor bring back the thousands of murdered fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and husbands.

Sympathetic terrorist cells worldwide will likely metastasize as they burn with revenge at the loss of their leader. America is on high alert.

Join me in prayer for our military overseas. Each and every member of our military is a hero. God bless our military for the sacrifices they make daily to ensure our safety and freedom.  God bless the families who lost loved ones on 9-11, may they find comfort in the justice that was served last night.

Join me in praying for our country, our great state of Colorado, the city of Denver, and our military on the National Day of Prayer.