The title of this week's blog comes from a quote included in today's spoken word message. Along with Lloyd Newell's traditional spoken word narration, there were several mothers who shared their insights on motherhood. One woman said, "I have to admit, I haven’t always liked Mother’s Day all that much. I would hear about how wonderful everyone’s mother is, and I never felt like I measured up. But I’ve come to realize that God doesn’t need me to be a perfect mother. He just asks that I do what I can, and to love. And because motherhood is such a sacred, important work, He’ll be with me every step of the way.”
I like this because to me, it's the most accurate lens through which motherhood should be viewed.
After rehearsal a week or so ago, having practiced one of the motherhood-themed songs we performed today, one of the sisters in the choir mentioned how difficult it is to listen to (and sing) songs that make mothers sound like perfect human beings. She went on to say that her own mother was far from perfect. Growing up, her mom had made plenty mistakes. And the ripple effects from those mistakes continue to reverberate even today. But in all honesty, what are we to expect? Just like everyone else, moms do make mistakes. But it's through those mistakes that they (and we) move forward--how we grow. All of us try to do the best we can and trust it's enough-- and we have hope that the love we have for children, for friends, for family members and human beings everywhere is what will prevail and what will be remembered.
Not to get off topic, but I guess I will for just a minute, haha. In the choir, we DO sometimes paint the most ideal with songs we sing: the perfect mom, the perfect family, the perfect soldier, the perfect disciple of Christ. We sing of "parents who love me" and "teachers kind and true" and "parents kind and dear" and homes where "love is spoken here" and where "every hour [we) are blessed by the strength of priesthood power." We even sing of "sunshine in our soul(s)" and "be(ing) the kind of person that I know I want to be." Then there are the videos sprinkled into the songs the choir performs. Two parents holding the hands of their two neatly dressed and perfectly behaved children, skipping through a hill of wildflowers; a mom pushing her laughing child on a tree swing; a couple holding hands as the waves of the ocean nip at their feet; children dutifully kneeling at their bedside in prayer; smiles, laughter, light, joy, ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD! Ok, I think you get the idea. :)
This used to bug me more than it does now (though I have to admit, I still get a little bit annoyed). But a few wise people I talked to made the point that sometimes people seeing the ideal get inspired to strive for the ideal. It spurs them forward. It makes them reach a little higher (and motivates change). Are there those who look at the ideal and say to themselves "I'll never by like that"? Absolutely. I'm sure of it. But is it better to want to be better or is it better to be comfortable and quit reaching? Our heavenly parents love us for who we are, right now. But they are also interested in us becoming better because they know we'll be even happier.
Sorry--that was all a bit preachy. Not my intention to be preachy. I just have tried to get my head around this aspect of singing with the Choir and thought I'd share a few thoughts about it.
That all said, I'm grateful for my own mom--her successes, her failures, and her constant desire to be better. I'm thankful for my wife who has been, and continues to be, a force of immense goodness and strength in the lives of our children. She too is trying each day to be just a little better and learn from mistakes. And I'm grateful for all of those in my life who are who they are, who do the things they do, and focus mostly on loving others and striving to be a little better.
Hopefully I can be more like them.
Until next time, God be with you.
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