Happy Mother's Day! I can't believe this is my sixth Mother's Day being Madeline’s mama. I’ll never forget my first Mother’s Day and looking back to six years ago. Y’all may have heard me talk about my “Madeline Ring”, The special pink ring that I wear in honor of her and holds special promises I’ve made to her. I picked this one out shortly before she was born, put some payment down on it and set it on layaway to pay on it until I could officially make it mine. I wanted it to be so special. But to my surprise, my precious Mama surprised me with it on my very first Mother’s Day. Looking back on this, I gave my ring and even more special meaning knowing that I received it on that day. I wear it every single day on my left hand and one day I will give it to Madeline.
That first Mother’s Day was also the day that I dedicated her to the Lord. I will never forget getting up in front of the congregation at church feeling so nervous. Through my pregnancy with her, I was so used to hearing so much background noise. What people were saying about me, assumptions about my life and at the time I remember how badly it hurt and affected me. I had let it affect me so badly that I found myself in a place where I kind of wanted to hide. I didn't want to go anywhere or be around anyone. I felt if I just kept to myself, I would avoid all the background noise. That first Mother’s Day standing in front of everyone, I had all those feelings come back and it felt so scary.
Looking back on that, goodness I see how far God has brought us! How far he has brought just me and Madeline together. At that time, thinking on six years down the road looked so much different for me. Being a single mama definitely is not easy. But all the beauty of being Madeline‘s mama has so greatly outweighed every ounce of the messiness in between. Looking back on how I felt that first Mother’s Day, I can truly see so many lessons God has taught me along the way. If I could give one piece of advice to anyone who is going through a situation where the background noise seems so powerful, I would tell you to block it out! Trust the truth and your reputation to God. You know it, He knows it and that is all that matters. Being able to walk confidently in who you are, where God has you at the season in your life and knowing that he is in complete control will bring you so much peace. And the peace will translate into who you can be for yourself, your children, your family and overall your health. There's so much hope when you can fully release everything to Him. YOUR story is so beautiful. It’s perfectly unique to you. And friend if you were in a boat where you feel like you have been sitting out in the water for what seems like a long time, I cannot stress enough to look on the beauty of where God has you right now. Look at the little things that make you smile. Focus on them, meditate on them, thank Jesus for them in the midst! Madeline‘s laugh, demeanor, and watching her take in the world over these past few years bring me more joy than I could ever say. And surround yourself with those who love you and speak TRUTH into you. I know in my heart that God has not finished writing our story yet and He has held me and Madeline ever so tightly along the way. He had proven himself so very faithful.
I’m also writing this because I know Mother’s Day can be a tough day for many. Some have lost their mamas. Some are longing to be mamas. Some are greatly missing their mama. Some mamas are greatly missing their children. Some are longing for better relationships. The stories go on and on. I just want to say that if you are feeling this way, I am thinking about you today, friend!
And to my beautiful mama who has taught me everything I know, has set the most beautiful examples for me, has forever been a constant in my life and been there for me and Madeline every step of the way, I am so grateful for you! I love you! and I love that me, you and Madeline are the "Three M's" :)
Every single day I find myself saying “thank you, Lord, for making me Madeline’s mama!” She truly saved me! And I vow to raise her as strong as she had made me to be.
Happy Mother’s Day!
