To Comfort and Protect

A mother's job is to comfort and protect her children from the moment they place our amazing infants in our arms to the day we die. Sure there are other lessons we teach them along the way but these are the 2 that we are most entrusted with. We are there to wipe their tears away whether they are crying from a skinned knee from a tricycle mishap or handing them a tissue after a breakup text. Protecting them from other kiddos cold germs with hand sanitizer or keeping an eye on them as we chaperone their first dance gives us the sense that we are up to the task.

What we hope to accomplish for our children is simple. Their lives should be safe and filled with the loving successes that we know they deserve. But moms are struck with their own inadequacies as to how effectively we can perform this on our own. Kids get cancer, bullies frighten them, drugs are experimented with, and society and reality come crashing in. Then moms have to admit that their powers unlike their love are limited. But that is okay.

Our true power is in always being there with them no matter what life throws their way. Loving them regardless of poor choices or because of their missteps, is the test of a mother's courage. A mom's heart is strong, it bleeds but doesn't break.

These past 9 months since my son's suicide I realize how little control I have over what happens in my kids lives. I spent so many sleepless nights praying for my son. Now I know even in this, my prayers were answered. Ryan impacted hundreds of lives while he lived and thousands of lives since he died. Tonight, I won't be worrying about my son. He is with a Father that can comfort and protect him until we are together again. The miracle is He has found ways to comfort and protect even this mother and I know I am not walking through this storm alone.

In Him,
Joyful
1-12-2011