We live in a world obsessed with production and prestige, with visibility and audience appeal, so it isn’t surprising that a woman who is working full time at raising children sometimes feels ‘less than’ other women-that she is ‘just a mom.’ It is work that is largely unrecognized and rarely, if ever, glamorous; work that is played out on a private stage with people who’s needs are great and influence is minimal. And yet, there is nothing about it that is ‘just’ or ‘merely.’ With spiritual eyes, we know that motherhood is among the greatest endeavors in this life and has eternal consequence.
Sheri Dew asked director Kieth Merrill why there are few strong mothers in movies. He replied, “If you’re a screenwriter and understand the essence of drama and you want to plunge your characters into conflict and keep them there, then you probably need to ‘lose the mom.’ Mothers go missing in movies because leaving them in the lives of characters in crisis makes sustaining conflict difficult. Mothers listen and understand, solve problems and resolve conflicts. They are selfless and love without conditions. You want to stir up a heap of trouble and make it believable? Better keep Mom out of it.” (personal correspondence, as cited in ‘Women and the Priesthood,’ p. 227 digital version) While mothering is generally quiet, it lays the foundation for security, self-confidence, love, balance, hope, and progress in children’s lives. As God’s purposes-to bring about our immortality and eternal life-happen on an individual basis, each mother’s labors to bear and nurture children individually have the farthest reaching effects of any other effort on earth. My own experience has taught me that nothing else I do has greater capacity for joy and fulfillment and for christlike growth in myself than mothering, and I marvel at the trust and responsibility God gave to women (to me!) to give us this essential role in His plan for His children.
Just a mom.
Just a shepherd, a cheerleader, a teacher, a friend.
Just a consoler, a caretaker, a peacemaker, a defender.
Just someone who shows up, again and again and again and again.
Just a tireless, praying, pleading, forgiving, trying and failing and trying again mom.
Just a participant in the most challenging and rewarding of callings.
Just an eternal influencer.
Just a partner with God.
Just a mom.
