The Motherhood Calling

From the time I could string two words together, I remember longing to be around babies...

I couldn't wait to hold other people's babies.

I remember arguing with my mom when she told me not to be so pushy with people about holding their children. I honestly didn't understand why anybody wouldn't want me to hold their eight week old baby. Surely there could be no one else who wanted to do so more or who would take as great care with their baby as I.

I always longed to be around little children, making them smile, teaching them, feeding them, cuddling them.

And then I got sidetracked.

I got sidetracked with the expectations of other people mostly, but also with the world's promises of prestige, of money, of lofty educational goals (not that education is ever a bad thing, but for me, it was about the wrong things at times), of being somebody more than just a mere mother.

Voices of close loved ones whispered (and sometimes shouted) that someone as smart as I should not settle for just being a stay at home mom.

Voices of strangers bombard me wherever I go with my brood...

"You must be exhausted."

"You've got your hands full."

"Oh my gosh honey; I bet you'll be glad when they're all in school."

But I have stopped listening to those voices, because finally, in the quiet moments, I can hear God saying this is what He made me for. This is the passion He planted in me. This is what I live and breathe to do.

I know not everyone is called to this. Not everyone finds the moments of chaos, four children singing, shouting, playing, screaming, crying and making messes, to be pleasant. But God made me to love it and as crazy as it sounds, I do.

It is a rare person who gets to wake up everyday and do what they are passionate about. I am so thankful for the opportunity each day to realize my dream...to simply be a mom.