Mothers

How many mothers have you known who have been the heroines of some extraordinary event? Few, very few. Yet you and I know many mothers who are indeed heroic. They may never have figured into any one spectacular event. They may never be in the headlines of the paper. But that is not their desire. They lead lives of constant self-denial, happy to curtail their own likes and preferences, their time, their opportunities for self-expression or success, so that they can surround you, their children, with happiness.

What an example they set for us. Whenever we need an illustration of self sacrifice, we have only to look to our mothers. If we dig to see what is truly extraordinary about their sacrifice we find it is the joy they display in everyday, ordinary events. How many times have you been praised for cleaning your room, receiving a good grade on a test or paper, a hug?

Have you ever asked yourself what is their reward? Or is this just something they are supposed to do? Are they any less human than anyone else...do they have dreams, ambitions, desires that go unfulfilled year after year? And yet, they do not hold this against us. Their true reward is you and the adult you have or are becoming. To be able to look to a child and watch them display character, love, honesty and compassion is all they ask. Is there any better example of God's love on earth than the love of a mother for a child?

The next time you feel lost or alone, look to your mother (or her memory) and praise God that He has given you this wonderful gift. It is a gift just for you...