I have often heard it said, "A woman's work is never done." This statement is especially true for women who have children. Most mothers get little rest because they invest countless hours in supervising the well-being of their children. Observing this deepest of passions, "a mother's love". I have discovered that such love focuses on at least three primary concerns. A mother doesn't seem to rest until she knows her children are satisfied, situated, and safe.
These primary concerns begin to appear in a mother's care for a newborn. Mom makes sure that the baby is satisfied with plenty to eat and regular diaper changes. This is not to imply that Dad cannot contribute to these needs, but Mom will make sure these essential needs are met so that the baby isn't crying all the time. With the infant satisfied, Mom works to get the little one situated. This may involve cradling the child close to her body or laying it in a comfortable place, wrapped in a warm blanket.
As the newborn's sleeping patterns change and it grows older, Mom seeks to satisfy the child by providing toys, friends to play with, and eventually a good school to attend for educational purposes. Mom's concern for a child becoming situated may explain why the first day of school or leaving for college is such a big deal to her. I am positive it has something to do with why mothers push to make sure everything goes well at weddings and then cry through much of the ceremony. They simply love their children and long to see them situated well in all categories of life.
Having their children satisfied and situated is not yet enough to convince mothers to rest a bit. They are going to labor at guaranteeing a child's safety before they lean back at all. I once visited a habitat for the largest bears in North America, the Kodiak Brown Bears. As we walked through the bears' territory, the guide told us, "The last thing you want to do is get within 100 yards of a female bear with a cub." Any hint of threat to that cub would spark an intense reaction from the "mama bear" that would have devastating results.
Little compares to the fury of a mother's protection; this is among the most intense instincts. I have seen this kind of behavior in a few Moms as they protected their young and in most cases they were not going to relax a bit until they sensed their child was safe. This concern for safety is what prompts many Moms to practice a tireless prayer effort, building a perimeter of spiritual protection around their child so that the devil can do no harm. This concern is also the reason why Moms encourage us to have a right relationship with God. Mom is just trying to protect us from any harm.
Realizing these factors are so important to a mother, honor your mother today by calling her and letting her know that you are being satisfied with access to the best chow the Marine Corps can offer and clean clothes on a regular basis. Tell her that the Marine Corps has situated you with lots of equipment, plenty of new friends and a learning environment that exceeds some of the best classrooms in the world. Then tell her you are as safe as possible in this environment, surrounded by the best war fighters in the world, coupled with the never-ending watch care of God. She will rest a bit better tonight and her motherly duties will be less taxing having received these assurances from you.
After you hang up the phone, remember to thank God for the blessing of a Mom who did her best to keep you satisfied, situated and safe. If you can't talk to your Mom today because she has already finished her living on this earth, then honor her memory by telling someone about the great ways she showed her love for you: fixing your favorite meal, sending a card, hearing about your hurts. Per chance you haven't had a Mom that bothered herself with these primary concerns, learn to observe them in others and make sure your children receive such love.
Duplicating such love in others is the ultimate honor to a mother (Exodus 20:12).
Happy Mother's Day! We love you, MOM!