There’s a piece of writing by one of my favorite artists that goes like this:
i struggle so deeply
to understand
how someone can
pour their entire soul
blood and energy
into someone
without wanting
anything in
return
-i will have to wait till i’m a mother
Rupi Kaur
A few days ago I went to the slums of Pokhara, Nepal. We handed out little treats called Chocopa to the kids and led them in songs for about three hours. One friend in particular blew me away with her generous spirit! This little girl (I’ll include a photo here) immediately answered our treat with “I’ll be right back. I’m giving this to my mother.” We asked her to stay and she reluctantly agreed. Even knowing that she wouldn’t be getting another treat like that for a little while, she was immediately willing to give all we had given to her to her mother. Most people talk about how much they wish they could give back to their own mothers. We feel a debt to pay for all of the sacrifices and choices our mothers made just to bring us into existence. We feel a debt where our mothers tell us that we are a gift to THEM. How is that even possible!? As someone who is unmarried and childless (Which is AWESOME since I’m literally nineteen years old) I can’t fathom loving someone that much. I also struggle to comprehend how an 11 year old growing up in poverty can understand that level of love. I think I found my answer in her as to how we can ever repay our mothers for what they’ve given up. We give it back. In the same way that the Lord loves us as a mother eagle with her chicks. Deut (32:10-11)
A fierce mother bear (Hosea 13:8).
A mother giving birth (Isa 42:14).
A mother breast-feeding her child (Isa 49:15).
The Lord created all women in his image. He instilled mothers with his nature and loves us in the same way. So just as we take the praise the Lord sings over us and return it back to him, in the same way we can return the love our mothers pour over us.
It’s a cycle that has been running since the dawn of creation and I’m honored to be a part of it! So don’t stop on Mother’s Day. Honor and love your mother every single day of the year. This applies to mothers here and mothers to be. Mothers passed on and mothers in heart. Honor her memory, honor her life and honor the love she’s shown you!
