New Column: Lenten Inspiration for Moms

Here’s an excerpt from “Christ’s Journey to the Cross: Lenten Inspiration for Mothers,” a column that I originally wrote for Canticle that’s now “live” at Catholic Mom and Catholic Exchange:

[Jesus] could have given far less; one drop of his blood could have saved us all. Yet, he freely chose to shed every last bit of it. He gave what is beyond “enough” or sufficient. If there was more to give, he gave it. He never stopped to count the cost. Nor did he expect something in return.

Mothering can be a thankless job at times, especially when your baby is too young to hug you or even smile at you. When my babies were newborns (especially with Madeline since I didn’t know what I kind of return I’d get later on once she left what my husband and I refer to the “lump stage”), I sometimes felt like they were only handed over to me when they were crying. It was my job to pacify the infants while others (grandparents, my husband, friends) enjoyed holding them when they were content. Even in the later months Madeline, in particular, would sometimes nurse and nurse and nurse, and I sometimes felt “used.” Did this little leech only love me for my big, milky breasts?

Even as my kids grow older and “reward” me with hugs, kisses, handmade cards, handpicked flowers, “I love you, Mommy” and other statements that make my heart melt, there won’t be any report cards or a salary to validate my performance or worth as a mother – even though it’s a 24/7 job.

But that’s not why I or any other mom takes care of their children.

Like Jesus, mothers are called to give unselfishly without expecting anything in return. We sometimes must give every last drop of milk. We have to sacrifice sleep. We are called to constantly nurture our children. Of course, the irony is that we do get so much back in return – the coos, the smiles, the intent stares, giggles, the sacred word “Mama” passed from their lips – all those little things. And at the end of the day, we can hope that the greatest reward will be to raise an unselfish, Christian child.

Read the rest here.