Diapers and Beyond…
Kim Schlomer

On this Mother’s Day, I have pondered what I could share that would be of encouragement and benefit to those mothers out there who give so much of themselves.  I thought about titling this “From Diapers to Diplomas”, but then I realized that motherhood never ends.  Even when little Billy or Betty Lou gets their high school or college diploma and they launch out into the big world, they will always be your child.

In fact now that I have one son that has already launched and one that is in the process, I’ve realized that a mother never stops being a mother.  We never ever stop praying, teaching, listening, and yes, even worrying. We learn to adjust when our relationship changes and we learn to bite our tongue a bit more, but we will always be a mother.  Sometimes I’ve thought that the most difficult time of motherhood is when your children turn into adults, because you loose all semblance of control, but then I remember how difficult all the other stages are.  It’s difficult to be a mom when they babies, toddler, school age, middle school, high school and college.  It’s just a different kind of difficult.

So what have I learned and still am learning?  If I could put it into two words it would be GRACE and TRUST.  In the area of grace, I’ve learned to receive God’s grace and extend grace to my kids.  I thank God for His grace when I have failed as a mother (and whom among us has not failed?), and I lean on His forgiveness and grace.  God alone can take our mistakes and use them to further His purposes in our lives.  I’ve also learned to extend more grace to my kids in their failings.  No one is perfect.  We are imperfect mothers raising imperfect kids.  

Secondly, the word TRUST would be the other lesson I’m learning.  Mostly, I’m learning to trust God when I am at the end of myself.  When I have no idea what direction to go, what to say, how to “fix” this problem, then I can pour out my heart to God and leave it in His hands.  I’m also learning to trust my husband, that his words of advice and direction are wise.  In addition, I’m learning to trust my kids in the choices they make.