Mother’s Day is approaching and as I looked across the front porch this morning, these four rocking chairs all lined up reminded me of my four amazing children. Each one uniquely different and each one with personality of their own. None of them within perfect alignment with the others, and none of them concerned about being in precisely the same place where the others are in life. They “rock” in their own direction and at their own pace, but they never rock too far away from the farm or away from each other. When they’re seated in the rockers on this old porch there is laughter and love and an endless supply of memories to share. And when one of the rockers is empty; the other ones feel the void. They are strong enough to bear the burdens of this life and yet they are gentle enough to rock a baby to sleep. They’ve endured the wind and the rains of life together, and although every once in a while a strong wind will scatter one in the opposite direction the others stay right where they are, and before you know it; the one scattered finds it way back to the line up. My heart was filled with love and gratitude this morning as I considered my “rockers” and all of those answered prayers for them over the years, AND for a family filled with so much love; it’s almost tangible.

There’s no doubt that I’ll hear words of love and appreciation on Mother’s Day, but every day feels like Mother’s Day to me. If there are any “thanks” to be dished out, it’s ME who should be doing the thanking. Thanks to a Mighty God who honored the prayers of this Mom over and over and over again. Thanks to a God who chose me to be the vessel to bring these four amazing creatures into the world, and Who trusted me to bring them up in His ways and not my own. Thanks to a God who gave me wisdom abundantly any time I asked for it, and One who gave me strength when I was tired and weary from the journey. Thanks to a compassionate God who was the “Father to the fatherless” and Who lead this family every step of the way. Thanks to a God who has kept them healthy and safe day after day, and for a God who planted the Seed of Faith in each one of them. Thanks to a God who taught me to die to myself and One who used the opportunity to soften my heart through my children so that I would be softened for the King. Being a Mom has been, and will forever be, the greatest and the most significant thing I’ve ever done and the source of so many spiritual lessons for me. The fruit of my labor overwhelms me and I know that the legacy of love, of laughter and of Faith will go on from generation to generation. I’ll never know on this side of Heaven just how far reaching that legacy will be, but thinking about it makes me smile. So on Mother’s Day…it’s ME who gives thanks for it all. For my four beautiful “rockers” and for the God of it all.

My kids may be grown, but my role as “Mom” won’t end until I take my last breath. I’ll be around whenever they need me and I’ll still savor every single moment I have. I’ll long for the days for these rockers to be filled back up, and I’ll wait patiently in between those times. Mostly I’ll be praying without ceasing just like I have since the day they were born, and I’ll be sharing a legacy of love, laughter and Faith while I plant a few seeds in the next generation too.

Happy Mother’s Day to me and to you!