There is joy in the midst of the tears and struggles. Sometimes joy just appears and sometimes we must cultivate our own. Yesterday, I watched young mothers go from tears to a room filled with such laughter and fun that everyone present left with their joy meter raised. What a beautiful picture of doing life together.
I have had the privilege this year of being a mentor for a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. Twice a month, 50-60 moms gather up their little ones, between birth and kindergarten, with diapers, snacks and bags in tow to make their way to meet together. These ladies come for a variety of reasons, but primarily they come to find encouragement, as they traverse the trenches of motherhood. It can be a lonely, draining mess of a place. For as sweet and cute as babies and toddlers are, the demands are often more than one heart and life can give alone.
Through MOPS, these mothers have discovered others journeying the same road and have decided to travel together. The joy of mentoring these ladies brings back memories of the days I was walking this same stretch of road. Just a few days ago, I had little ones who filled my days with sippy cups and goldfish, Band-Aids and tears, silly songs and wiggles, tired eyes and bedtime stories. I can still smell the sweet scent of a freshly bathed tike smothered in Baby Magic, or see the little faces covered in applesauce as they try, so diligently, to feed themselves. I still have the sippy cups and can still sing the silly songs from memory, but the little ones have launched from my home. My years as a MOPS attender, I traveled with Nancy, Shelia, Rochelle, Claudia, Kay, Susan and Robin, plus many others. I was so blessed to have these ladies in my life during a season I needed all the smiles, laughs and adult conversation I could get.
Yesterday, I had the honor of smiling and laughing with Kelly, Anna, Betsy, Brianna, Leigh, Anne, Stephy and Rebecca. I cheered and giggled with them, as we won the table competition games that mocked the reality these moms struggle with on a daily basis. We shed tears, as we watched the video “Slow Down,” by Nichole Nordeman. We shared cookies…no one had to contend with a toddler to eat…they were delicious! It was a joyous day of doing life together. The breaking of bread, the conversation, the smiles and the tears made this a day to fill our joy tank. These women are striving to the mothers God created them to be. Some days they are winning and other days they feel they are losing ground; however, they are battling. I am greatly encouraged, as I watch them fight during this season!
We just celebrated Mother’s Day this past weekend. Moms of all ages and stages took a moment to stop and reflect on their journey of motherhood. The countless tears and prayers are often set aside for the memories of first steps, school plays and silly shenanigans that fill us with the joy of remembering. No matter what season of mothering one may be in, joy can be found. If it seems elusive, search out a group to journey with…whether MOPS or ladies from bible study, the soccer moms or Boy Scout moms, there are others looking for you. They can encourage when times are tough, share tears of joy in times of celebrating and walk with you all the steps in-between. Friends in motherhood are a priceless treasure. Gather them close, for you, too, are a treasure to them.
THANK YOU to all my dear MOPS friends of yesteryears from Redlands Community Church!!!
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