When I was asked to write this article for the newspaper, I must be honest and tell you that I was intimidated.
"Why?" you might ask. Well, you see. I'm not a writer, I'm more of a wordsmith.
My comfort zone is taking a word, dissecting it, looking into all of its nooks and crannies, then taking all of that information and sharing it with whoever will listen.
So, when I was asked to write about the topic of motherhood, I instinctively looked at it as "word." You, know, a topic, something that you could put parameters around and put it in a simple little package. Oh, but was I wrong.
You see, motherhood is not something that you can just fence in so easily because it not just one simple world. Rather, it is a "collective word" to describe all of the other words (or attributes) that combine together to form a mother.What I'm getting at is, motherhood is the term that we use to describe all of the wonderful characteristics that a true mother exhibits.
Words like "self sacrifice." How many times has true mother gone without so the her child could have? Most times self-sacrifice doesn't stop there. She continues to sacrifice so that those around her can also have. But sadly, most times, the recipients of this act do not realize nor acknowledge that it happened. But God does.
Another phrase would be "absolute commitment." Webster defines "commitment" as a pledge or promise. And that, my friend, is something that God has hard wired in the very makeup of a true mother. Deep within herself, a true mother has made a promise to herself, her children and her God that she will care fore, nurture and oversee these precious gifts that God has chosen her to be the motherly steward of.
Another phrase which makes the buildings blocks of a mother is "bulldog tenacity." No one wants o get a bulldog (or any other type of dog) after them. Why? Because the bite will be unpleasant. A true mother is a protective critter that will bite hard if they feel that their child is harmed or done wrong. And, believe me, you don't want that. That again, is a a God-given attribute.
A fourth and final word which describes mother is "dignity."
Think for a moment of all undue stress that automatically comes with the calling of motherhood. She is expected to cock like Betty Crocker, look like Miss America (for Dad), have the compassion of Mother Teresa, have all the medical knowledge of an M.D. and keep house like Martha Stewart and somehow they do all of this with quiet reserve and dignity. And, much much more.
I firmly believe that if there is any day that should be repeated throughout the year, it is Mother's Day because mothers give so much and receive so little gratitude. Usually they just receive attitude.
I believe Abraham Lincoln said it best, "No one is poor who had a Godly mother."
So, Moms, the only thing that we can say is "thank you" for all that you do to enrich our lives and make this world a better place through your self-sacrifice, absolute commitment, bulldog tenacity, dignity and the million other words that combined together to make up you -- "the Mom."
•••
Editor's note: This column originally ran in the May 10, 2006, edition of The TIMES. The opinions expressed are those of the author. Rick Booyer is the pastor of Twelve Corners Baptist Church, Garfield.
Religion on 05/04/2016