Motherhood: A Divine Calling

Thought this was appropriate for today :)

As it is Mothers Day, I want to talk about why being a mother in the future is important to me and how my own mother has inspired me.

I decided to discuss the first portion of my topic because I have often wished that I was better able to explain why I feel that family and children should be my main focus for my future plans. The question, “Why is having a family so important to you?” is something that I think is asked to the youth of our church, especially young women, quite a bit. In a world where it is increasingly popular to be a successful career person first and at home with family second, the pressure to put off marriage and children “until you’re ready” either career-wise or financial-wise has increased exponentially. However, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Women who make a house a home make a far greater contribution to society than those who command large armies or stand at the head of impressive corporations.” Hopefully in this post I will be able to communicate why it is that I am so convinced of the importance of motherhood.

First and foremost, motherhood is a calling and a divine role given from God. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling… It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.” Motherhood is part of God’s divine design and plan for his children. It is the way that he allows his spirit children to come to earth and receive our bodies, an essential part of the plan. It is truly a sign of how much God loves and trusts us, that he allows us to be born into and to raise families. Elder Neal A. Maxwell also said, “God trusts women so much that He lets them bear and care for his spirit children.” It is a sacred responsibility which should not be taken lightly. Mothers hold one of the highest callings and most divine responsibilities of God’s children on the earth. M. Russell Ballard said, “There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood.” Motherhood is a sacred calling that we should respect and revere, not downgrade like much of the world does.

The impact and inspiration that mothers have has no earthly rival. Neal A. Maxwell said, “What happens in cradles and kitchens will prove to be more effective than what goes on in congress.” My own mother has definitely impacted my life in more ways than I can count and has inspired me to be a better person and to live the right way. Our mothers teach us everything from how to walk to how to pray, and the influence of a mother’s words is far greater than any other person’s. A story shared by Bradley D. Foster of the Seventy illustrates this point. He says,

“My good friend Don Pearson shared an experience that highlights this influence. One night his four-year-old son asked him to read a bedtime story. Eric had picked out his favorite book: The Ballooning Adventures of Paddy Pork, a story about a family who lived on the isles of the sea and traveled from island to island by hot-air balloon. It was a picture book that had no words, so Brother Pearson made up words to the story.

“Paddy is in a hot-air balloon. He is landing on an island now. He is dropping a line over the side of the balloon.”

Eric stopped him. “Dad, that is not a line. It’s a rope.”

Brother Pearson looked at Eric and back at the picture book, and then he continued: “Paddy is getting out of the balloon and climbing down the tree. Oh no! His coat is caught on a limb!”

Again Eric stopped him. “Dad, that’s not a coat. It’s a jacket.”

By now Brother Pearson was somewhat perplexed. He said, “Eric, there are no words in this book, just pictures. Why do you insist that it’s a jacket?”

Eric answered, “Because Mother told me.”

His father closed the book and said, “Eric, who do you think is the last word, the ultimate authority in this house?”

This time Eric thought carefully before he answered, “You are, Dad.”

Brother Pearson beamed at his son. What an exceptional answer! “How did you know that?”

Eric quickly responded, “Mother told me.”

As President James E. Faust said: “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation”

My mother has inspired me with her example and has shown me what I need to be a great mother. Recently I was working on my personal progress for a Divine Nature Value experience about the divine roles of women. Part of the experience was to talk to your mother to learn what attributes she thinks are important for being a good wife and mother. I would like to share with you these attributes and the example that my mother sets for each of them.

First, having a testimony of the gospel and of the divine role of women and mothers. The example that mother’s set is a crucial one in children’s lives and a mother’s testimony helps to build the faith of her children. In the Book of Mormon, the 2,000 stripling warriors had faith in God and His deliverance because of their mothers. They “did not doubt their mothers knew it.” I add my testimony to theirs- I do not doubt that my mother knows that this gospel is the absolute truth. She is always bearing her testimony and striving to live the gospel in such a way that it makes me want to follow her example.

The next important attributes are patience and kindness. Life is hard and things don’t always go the way that we plan, so it is important to be understanding and patient. A mother’s words are also very influential, so a mother’s harsh words hurt the most. My mother is constantly patient with me, even though I know I drive her crazy sometimes.

A mother needs to be selfless. Motherhood is a hard and often thankless job, I know I don’t say thank you nearly enough, and to be willing to give up personal desires and place others first is something that amazes me as I see my own mother work countless hours for all of us to do the things that we want to do.

A mother also needs to have a sense of humor and be able to laugh. Marjorie Pay Hinckley said, “you can laugh or you can cry, but crying gives me a headache.” My mother is probably one of the most ridiculous, weird, and random people that I know, but she is constantly making me laugh and its the ridiculous parts of life that make it so much fun.

The love of a mother is a constant that we can always rely on. Much like the love from our Heavenly Father, it is given freely, makes no demands, and never gives up on us. There is a popular quote which says “Behind every successful man there is a strong, wise and hardworking woman.” I would like to amend this slightly. My version reads, “Behind every successful person there is a strong, wise, and hardworking MOTHER.”

I am so thankful for my mother. Although she is far from perfect- she would be the first to tell you that and I’d be the first to attest to it- she is my greatest example. She loves me, takes care of me, always makes time for me, and believes in me even when I don't believe in myself. Although I may be permanently scarred for life, these scars, so to speak, are what make who I am and who have shaped me into the individual I am today. As I go forward into my future I am not scared because I know that my mom has taught me everything I need to know.

I would like to close with one of my favorite quotes about motherhood from Marjorie Pay Hinckley. “I don’t want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone’s garden. I want to be there with children’s sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived”

Me and my momma

I know that motherhood is a divine calling from God and I am excited and grateful to be able to take on this responsibility in the future. I know that families can be together forever and that they are an essential part of His plan for His children. My own mother has inspired and taught me so much. I love her immensely and wouldn't trade her for anything. She is who I aspire to be and I am so grateful that Heavenly Father gave me to her. Happy Mother’s Day Mom, I love you!!!