Motherhood Mission Statement

One day, several years ago, my children and I were driving in the car when my oldest son who was six at the time asked me a question. “Mama… what will you do when I am all grown up?”  His simple question caught me off guard and I faltered in my response.  I thought for a moment before finally saying, “I am sure I will stay busy with work and writing, visiting each of you all the time, and taking care of Daddy.”

My son thought about my response for a moment before responding, “I am glad you have a plan because I am growing up very fast and that time will be here before you know it.”

He was right… he was and is growing up very fast and time always seems be passing us by too quickly. In fact, if I close my eyes… I can recall that conversation as if it happened yesterday and not four short years ago.

It was in that moment that I felt as though fifty things flashed before my eyes at once… all things that I wanted to do with my children before they were too old or too cool to be seen in public with their mother. I felt a flash of panic rise up in my throat as I thought about all the time that I had already wasted on lazy weekends and days when I was too tired to play outside with them as they begged me.  I made a mental note then and there to be a more intentional mother.  I started to view each moment with them as a gift and an opportunity instead of simply a responsibility.

I sat down shortly after that conversation with my son and wrote out what I call my MotherHood Mission Statement.

My mission as a mom is: to leave a legacy of love in the lives of each of my children.  I commit to plant this legacy with seeds of time I will spend with them so they will know they are valued and treasured.  I will water the seeds of time with wise teachings based on God’s truth not the world’s opinions.  I will diligently work to protect the seeds from any weeds that seek to hurt or harm my children or our family’s foundation. I will be careful with the words that I use, knowing that they have the power to build or destroy the hearts of the children God has trusted me with.  I will strive each day to live my life in a way that shows them not only my love for them but more importantly… God’s love for them.  

 I keep a copy of this statement in my bible so that I can be reminded often of the type of mom I want to be, the kind of legacy that I want to leave, and the choices I need to make daily to help those become a reality.

The powerful truth that God has shown me through motherhood- that I hope all moms can embrace today is:  Your legacy is what is left behind you tomorrow; however, it is built from the choices you make today. 

So the question I am posing for moms to ponder this Mother’s Day weekend is a loaded one…  What do you want your legacy to be as a mom?  I challenge you to spend some time praying about it, writing it down, and committing to make choices daily to help it become a reality as your legacy of love.