They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD

for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:3

On becoming a mom- mother- madre- mutter- mum- mae- mommy

Photo Credit- Glory’s Garden

You don’t arrive at being mum, just because you conceive a child.

Mommyhood happens in a myriad of mysterious ways.

  A seed of love is planted into your depths

and if you allow that seed to break your heart so life might be embraced-

when you find love welling up like a limitless spring to tenderly nurture –

and your heart aches with indescribable passion and fierce loyalty-

-then you know you’re on your way to becoming a Mom.

[Tweet “If you allow the seed of #love to break your heart- you know you’re becoming a #mom”]

For a Mother is always becoming. We are His planting on display for His splendor.

I’m 54 and I’m still becoming. Throw out that nonsense that when you’re kids are grown, you’re not “parents” anymore? Does God ever cease to be our Heavenly Father? NO! Our relationships change, deepen, matures, and grows, but it never dissolves.

For once you’re “becoming” a mother- you could never “unbecome” one – even if you tried.

[Tweet “Once your heart becomes a #mom- you can never unbecome one. #motherhood”]

photo credit- Moriah Barclay

When I first found out I was expecting with Sarah- I embraced the seed of motherhood had been planted in my heart and also began growing- much like the seedling of love that grew inside me.

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Each day since;  each experience, every tear, every joy, each milestone, the loss, the mundane, the silly, the difficult, the training, the work, the tiredness, the seasons, the confrontations, the aching, indescribable beauty-

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all these things were the sun and soil, nutrients and water that weathered and grew my “mommy seed” as it became a sapling.

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A Sapling is stronger than a seedling.  Standing straight in the confidence and experience it now has as a tree. Roots have gone deeper and a sensible trunk with bona fide branches have developed! It’s a respectable stage in the life of the young tree. Each year of overcoming the elements brings a “new internal ring” proving growth and expansion happened- literally.  The sapling is growing up.

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For a mother is always becoming- We are His planting on display for His splendor!

Seasons come and seasons go- each blending the circles of growth into sturdiness and resilience.  A Tree effortlessly offers life- it’s just how its designed.  It takes in carbon dioxide, harmful to people, and  mystically, transforms it into oxygen, perfuming the air with purity.  In much the same way a mother learns to take the noxious fumes of their children’s environment and gloriously transfigure it to “purer life”, bringing comfort and peace.

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A tree becomes haven for life- welcoming squirrels, birds, and all manner of bugs and creatures. Mothers also become a haven- not only for your children- and finally for their children, but your children’s friends.  It’s a happy tree that welcomes all to comfort, shelter and encourage even if the stay is temporary.  For a mother’s heart stretches and grows until it knows no boundaries.

A mother is always becoming. We are His planting on display for His splendor.

[Tweet “A #mother is always becoming…a planting on display for God’s #splendor. #motherhood”]

I look and feel different as a Mom of 33 years-and now a Grandma *Nana of 9-  33 years of becoming-

My roots are much deeper now, I’ve had to sink them deep to find water to nourish my mommy soul. My trunk is thicker and stormy winds have snapped off some of my branches. But most of my branches are outstretched in praise. I relish the offspring of my heart climbing, exploring and swinging; simply enjoying my presence. My favorite thing as a tree is providing shade and shelter to those who come to rest under me. I invite them to share the fruitful bounty the Lord has given me.

I marvel that my own seedlings are growing up around me, rooted and grounded as plantings in their own right. My branches stretch up and out- ever outward- to encompass the “much” I have been blessed with.  My leaves rustle with melodies of praise as His Spirit blows upon me. I am a weathered old tree, but I love the tree I’m becoming. Yes, I have my seasons still, offering fruit and shade, bounty of color, and sometimes the cold, frosty stillness in winter where I wonder what I have to offer.  But I am not afraid of the winter anymore. Because 54 times God has always brought the bursting life of springtime, back into my life so I may be His planting.

For a Mother is always becoming. We are His planting on display for His splendor.

Surprising Treasures:  Blessings and Praise to the One who created A million variety of trees and a million variety of moms! Both give Life and Shelter. May your roots go down deep into the soil of His marvelous love – and may you always keep becoming……

I have no greater joy than my children are walking in the truth—-and their children are being taught to walk in the truth—-and their children will be taught to walk in the truth.