A mother's heart Reflects

I have come to understand mothers and motherhood lately.
We all have our ideal mother...the 'perfect' one.
That is a different definition for everyone.
I've been called a 'good mom'. Even 'great mom'. But what is that?

Franctly I do what I do most of the time because I feel it is what I HAVE to do.
I guess I am just understanding and feeling the term sacrifice.

The fact that I really don't take the time for myself right now. I'm really feeling the constant giving...giving...and more giving of myself.
And when I say giving, I don't mean all perfect and loving and calm and patient, and at the end of the day I throw myself on the bed and say phew! I have nothing left. (That is me somedays...)

No...I mean that my days run into weeks and sometimes I am just sick and tired of getting up and doing everything for everyone else and my attitude reflects that.

The fact that I spend my days taking care of three little people and the needs of a large dusty farmhouse. It is a sacrifice.
Somedays I want to run away.
Somedays I really resent my chosen position in life.

In my mind and in my heart I know it is all worth it. I am doing it for the benefit of my Lord and my children and for that reason on most days I am a WILLING servant.

I rest knowing and hoping that one day....one day my children will appreciate me for all I do day in and day out.

I pray they will look past my faults and my mess ups, my yelling, and my inadequacies and see that I really...really love them.

But wait a minute here...Is that my purpose in life? My purpose can't be to lift myself up. My purpose is not to glorify myself and get praise and a pat on the back at the end of the day.

My purpose is to Honor my God and to Glorify Him.
So...if giving more of myself and serving three little people helps them turn to Christ and go out into the world to do the same...then the term 'sacrifice' does not seem so bad.

In fact...I feel better already.
It IS... worth it.
It is all....WORTH IT.