Sacrificial Love
I heard a sermon a month or so ago talking about laying down your life for another. The preacher asked if the Bible really calls us to do so. Through scripture we learned that yes it does. In some cases "laying down your life" does mean to die for another. In other cases it simply means to put aside your current life and live a totally different life for another. When a man marries a woman there is a pretty good chance he is going to have to change his lifestyle and walk a little differently for the woman he loves. Older couples who have one spouse who's health is failing lay down the life they have known for 40, 50 or 60 years to care for their husband or wife in a way no one is prepared to do so.
Motherhood is one of the greatest examples of laying down your life for another. Sure you have the help of your husband, friends and family members but no one can prepare you for the sacrifices you will make as a mother. It begins with your body turning into an ever-growing incubator. Then they get here and you give up sleep and eating with 2 hands and the ability to watch a 30 minute tv show uninterrupted and bathing alone and going to the bathroom alone. This my friends, is sacrificial love! And we haven't even gotten to the teenage years yet, heck! we are just getting started on toddler years!
As I sit here and down my 3rd cup of coffee, staring at my breast pump that I have a love/hate relationship with (all of you breast feeding mommies understand that when a baby is clogged up, they do not eat well and you have that battle of "will the next feeding do the trick or do I need to use that damn thing?") and dwell on the lack of sleep I have had the past 2 nights, the frustration of sick children, the guilt-trip you feel from being frustrated at said sick children and so on... I can't help but to think of all the sacrifices that were made to get me to this point in life. I am humbled. At the tip-top of the list is my God and my Mother. I think the only true way to say thank you enough and to feel somewhat worthy for all that has been given to and for you is to pay it forward.
Take time this weekend to praise first and foremost your Risen Savior followed by your Mothers, Fathers, Husbands, Grandparents, Siblings, Inlaws, Employers, etc etc etc... for all the sacrifices that have been made on your behalf.
Have a blessed Easter!
Motherhood is one of the greatest examples of laying down your life for another. Sure you have the help of your husband, friends and family members but no one can prepare you for the sacrifices you will make as a mother. It begins with your body turning into an ever-growing incubator. Then they get here and you give up sleep and eating with 2 hands and the ability to watch a 30 minute tv show uninterrupted and bathing alone and going to the bathroom alone. This my friends, is sacrificial love! And we haven't even gotten to the teenage years yet, heck! we are just getting started on toddler years!
As I sit here and down my 3rd cup of coffee, staring at my breast pump that I have a love/hate relationship with (all of you breast feeding mommies understand that when a baby is clogged up, they do not eat well and you have that battle of "will the next feeding do the trick or do I need to use that damn thing?") and dwell on the lack of sleep I have had the past 2 nights, the frustration of sick children, the guilt-trip you feel from being frustrated at said sick children and so on... I can't help but to think of all the sacrifices that were made to get me to this point in life. I am humbled. At the tip-top of the list is my God and my Mother. I think the only true way to say thank you enough and to feel somewhat worthy for all that has been given to and for you is to pay it forward.
Take time this weekend to praise first and foremost your Risen Savior followed by your Mothers, Fathers, Husbands, Grandparents, Siblings, Inlaws, Employers, etc etc etc... for all the sacrifices that have been made on your behalf.
Have a blessed Easter!
Such a great post. I love your writing style, humor with a healthy dose of heart. Kind of reminds me of you!
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I held Sadie, I had the realization that this was the closest I would ever get to understanding how God loves us and what he sacrificed out of that love. Humbling.
Praying for a good night's rest for you soon! Love you!!
Heath