A while back, I wrote about my first ER experience with my 1 1/2 yr old – and I wrote a lot about the fear that comes with parenthood—the fear of your children suffering and losing them. When becoming a mother, many reasons scared me about entering into this phase of my life. Aside from all the physical demands of motherhood through pregnancy, child labor – all the stress that comes with growing and caring for a little human, there was also the emotional toll it has on women. The overwhelming feeling of responsibility and attachment to human life brought into this crazy world, knowing that this baby is yours, but not really yours, and could be taken away at any moment. Parenthood, especially motherhood, opens the door to so many potential hardships and suffering. The vulnerability in motherhood made me very fearful.
As terrifying as motherhood seemed, I quickly realized after the birth of my first that the love I feel for my child outweighed all the hurdles and hardships that came and are to come with being a mom. To be able to bring life into this world and watch it grow, to care for, and cherish my babies – day in and day out is a tremendous honor and worth every bit of scariness. That deep, deep love for my girls has fueled me to buckle up and face those fears. That love has made me BRAVE.
Bravery looks different for everyone. I see that bravery is worn in various ways and (usually) rooted in love. When I imagined myself as a mother, BRAVE was not on my list of things I would be. It is the primary characteristic I see in all mothers and has given me a newfound appreciation for this vocation. Motherhood is beautiful and fulfilling, but it is heavy and hard. Through love and a lot of grace, I can take on whatever comes my way; I can be brave.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:7
Leave a Reply