FREE to be Me ...

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

I'm going to be a Mom...

There is no preparing oneself for this, is there?

The practical side: Yes, with time I can probably learn how to change a diaper, warm a bottle, and burp the little guy. On the other hand: No way!  How can I be prepared to have this small person completely dependant on me 24/7? And not only that, but to know that I am responsible for raising them to be a happy, helpful, honorable, and contributing member of society.

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations." -The Family: A Proclaimation to the World

Okay, whoah! That's not exactly a checklist where I can complete one each day and call it good. Let's face it... I am about to be overwhelmed. But I can see that motherhood is not only a responsibility, but a gigantic  privilege that I am about to be entrusted with.

Not so long ago, in my teenage years, I often told my friends I wanted a house overflowing with children. Eight or ten sounded about right to me. That's just how it was, and it made so much sense that having a large family would be ridiculously fun - that I would have a whole army of kids to play with and call my own. Well, when I left home and met with the world, I also became better acquainted with responsibility. And when I got married, I came to realize that the the possibility of creating new life came with a whole lot of strings attached. Strings that my husband and I weren't so sure about, or confident enough to handle right then. So, I grew accustomed to a life for two - blissful, adventurous, comfortable life for two.

But wait! We are commanded to teach future generations of Christ, we are improved by learning things that only parents can learn, and we really do want to experience the fullness of life that raising children would bring. There comes a point when you just know that your window of opportunity will not last forever, and you have to take a little leap of faith.

So here we are, having leaped right past the point of no return, and wondering how we will ever live up to this agreement --- Having promised to support each other, having made a commitment to parenting, and knowing we are inferior to these tasks. It is amazing! ... and insane really.

But I know that when our little one is born, we will be able to look into his eyes and see a son of God who stood with us in the pre-mortal life. That we, only a few years ahead of him in our earthly progression, have provided a mortal body for him, and an earthly home. And now we must help him, and he must help us, to return to our heavenly home.

And about that "eight or ten kids" that I always wanted --- Well, let's just do this one at a time and see how many we deserve. We will be looking to God to help us fulfill what He has in mind for our future family. Because really... trusting Him is our best chance for preparation. 

“Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.” -Neil L. Andersen



 
posted by Jake and RaNette Free at 3:00 PM 0 comments