In the grand scheme of things, I know I am not that far along on the journey that is ‘motherhood’,  but I do feel like a different person today than I was the day I brought my first son home.

As I reflect on what motherhood has taught me so far, I realise that ‘motherhood’ needs to be lived out on your knees.

Kissing scraped legs, tying shoe laces, checking for monsters under the bed, cleaning up spills, searching for the favourite car under the lounge, applying band-aids, sitting beside the bath, sitting beside the toilet, kneeling beside the cot or the bed.

But then I realise I am on my knees for many other reasons.

These lives. Entrusted to me to raise alongside my husband. What a gift and a privilege. I am on my knees in gratitude for the chance to be called mum by these three.

These lives. Entrusted to me to raise, alongside my husband. Sometimes the enormity of that task overwhelms me at every turn.

Am I enough for them? Do I smile enough, listen enough, am I strict enough, fun enough, tough enough? Do I love enough, forgive enough, teach enough? Am I wise enough?

So I find myself on my knees again. Seeking wisdom and strength for the days where I just don’t think I am enough for them on my own.

It doesn’t take long in my reflections on motherhood for me to start thinking about my own mum.

No doubt she had many of the above thoughts herself at times. But when I look back and think ‘what was her secret to being a mum?’ I see a cycle of Love, Service, Sacrifice and the Seeking of Wisdom.

I am beyond thankful for that example of motherhood in my own mum, and in these later years of my life, that I’ve also found in my mother-in-law.

This Mother’s Day I thank and honour them.

LOVE

SERVE

SACRIFICE

SEEK WISDOM

REPEAT.