For me, being a mom is both my greatest joy and my area of greatest challenge and worry. But sometimes I believe God gives mothers special, fulfilling moments to keep us hanging in there.One day my daughter Ashley and I went shopping, and as we came in carrying all the bags, a big bottle of cream rinse fell out of Ashley's arms, hit the garage floor and splattered everywhere. All I could say was, "Oh, Ashley!" Though I didn't form the words, my voice implied, "How could you be so careless?"
After cleaning up the mess I went inside and suggested that the kids help pick up the house a bit. Ashley made an uncharacteristic comment about the house being so messy it wouldn't make much difference anyway. My pride was offended at the truth of her statement, but I said nothing.
That night I found a note from Ashley: "Dear Mommy, I am sorry I called your house a messy place. Will you forgive me? And the rinse breaking. It was dumb. I hope you and I can go shopping again. Love you more than you can imagine. Love in Christ. Ashley."
One Christmas I received a similar note that also took me from the depths to the heights. I had bawled out Benjamin for messing up his bedroom. Afterward I said, "Benjamin, all you are going to remember about me is that I griped at you and I yelled about picking up your room."
That night he gave me a note that said, "Thank you for being a great mom. That's what I will remember the most. I love you, Benjamin."
Yes, being a mother can be challenging, hard, frustrating and lonely, but there are those priceless moments that come every day in the form of a note, a quick hug and a kiss, or something said as only a child can say it.