Thoughts on Easter

I woke up Easter Sunday morning feeling like a fat, broken old pregnant lady. My rolley-polley tummy flopped out of bed and I limped to the bathroom on a lingering charlie horse that, with a little case of heartburn, had jolted me awake in the middle of the night.

In hindsight, I was pretty funny to look at.

Then, from the church pulpit I heard the words, “Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done.” Pretty famous words from a pretty famous man.

Recently, I’ve been struggling with the  changes that come with pregnancy. Physically, there was no way I could have known what was coming. With waistline expanding, hormones raging and tummy tumbling, life isn’t a cake walk. The idea of childbirth itself is a little intimidating as well. Then, there’s the whole parenthood thing! You mean I have to raise one of God’s little ones without screwing them up? Therapy is dang expensive, I hear.

Then, Easter came with its promise of new birth and unconditional love. It occurred to me how close motherhood comes to approaching divinity. We are asked to sacrifice our time, talents and even our bodies to raise a little one. I’ve been seeking a lot of help as I prepare to raise this little squirt. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom our church leaders have imparted.

“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”

” We stand in awe at Mary’s assignment to be the mother of the Lord, but we, too, have been called to mother gods. Latter-day Saint women understand that the very purpose of creation depends upon our participation as earthly mothers to the spirit children of God. As it is his work and his glory to bring his children unto eternal life, it is also our work and our glory as mothers.” ~ MARY F. FOULGER

“There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.” ~ ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD

There might be a lot of sacrifice that comes along with being a mother. And, although it might be selfish of me to admit it, that sacrifice intimidates me. But then I spent Easter with David’s family and saw pictures like this from my own. I am so thankful for the examples of motherhood that I have in my life and the beautiful families they have and continue to raise. You really are examples to me of how Jesus Christ would have acted.

Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go take a Tums and suck it up.