I don't know if it's all the recent changes in our household or middle age hormones but lately I've had this wierd sense of defending motherhood and women in general. It seems like everywhere I turn, my ears are especially sensitive to issues with mothers, grandmothers, single women, married women with no children, women from all walks of life. My senses are heightened when I'm listening to the radio, watching TV, shopping in Target, or talking to friends. I wonder why? I wonder if it's because I've just turned my first born loose on a large college campus and so with one less chick in the nest I am a little more introspective. I wonder if it's because everywhere I go I run into other moms who are experiencing the same feelings. Maybe it's because friends have mothers who are very ill and the roles of mom and child are reversed. Possibly it's because both presidential candidates are going for the "women's votes" that I'm bombarded by "women's issues."
These feelings didn't just begin, let me assure you. I've been protective of women and mothers for a very long time. I have a house full of boys who love to eat, love to have clean clothes, love to have their sweet backs scratched, love fresh cookies out of the oven after school and love ESPN. They are not so big on shopping, long conversations on the phone, or TV shows that I prefer. This mom has learned to absolutely savor the rare Sunday lunch conversations, the quick trips to the mall, and the long awaited phone calls. I have also learned to love football, cooking, and most of all, the lovely friends that they bring home. There is one thing that I have learned to tolerate, even occasionally join in on, just because in my soul I know it's never going to change..........potty talk. I feel that I'm especially qualified to protect and advocate for our special club of "boy moms." In fact, as badly as I hate labels, there are two that I proudly wear......."Boy Mom" and "Middle Child."
I love watching "The View" because as I've said before, I love hearing all kinds of opinions on things. I love knowing where other people are "coming from." Yesterday Dwayne Wade, the famous basketball player, was on with his mother, who is a recovering drug addict. I was drawn in by her story and even more by her courage to tell her story. She explained so clearly how she wanted so badly to be a good mother but because of the drugs felt like a failure, which in turn led her back to her best friend for comfort....the drugs. She credited her 91 year old praying mother who never turned her away. Her words, "my mother laid me on the alter every time she went to church and the Lord heard her prayers." So even when Dwayne Wade's mother didn't have the strength to ask for help the Lord knew the desires of her heart. He also honored her sweet mother for "standing in the gap" for her daughter. What a great story. I kept rewinding my DVR because it was such a testimony of the power of strong women and God's love of them.
Last week I loved hearing Ann Romney speak at the Republican National Convention. I was so proud of my fellow "boy mom" and how she so eloquently showed how women from all walks of life have very tough jobs. Whether you are single, married, stay at home mom, career woman, grandmother, whatever. You know the heart of a woman. We don't need to be labeled because we know that no matter what label we wear on a specific day, we ALWAYS wear the label of being a "woman." Soft place to land, quiet strength when called for, wisdom in the middle of a storm, balance between being passive or aggressive. Well, I was happily reflecting on how beautifully and honestly Ann Romney spoke about these things when it happened.........Some news analyst says, "I think she sounded like what she is, a corporate wife." WHAT?????? Did I hear that right? This guy is TOAST. As I'm rewinding the DVR to listen again, all I can hear from the kitchen is "Uh Oh." My poor husband was bracing for my rant. What exactly is a "corporate wife?" Are you kidding? All I could think of was how many loads of stinky laundry has Ann Romney done? How many nights has she stayed awake with sick children? How many nights has she stayed up late doing projects and homework with those beautiful boys she has? How many early mornings has she had getting them to school? How many conversations has she had with her successful husband about his day at work or his next step in life? I wonder how many times they remembered to tell her "thanks you" and when they didn't, she didn't care. Quiet Strength? It wasn't very quiet that night.
Just this morning I was reading Robin Roberts tribute to her wonderful Godly mother. I loved Michelle Obama's title of "Mom-in Chief." I thought of Dwayne Wade's "Born Again" mother and his praying grandmother and I was calm in my Spirit. I will always be protective of women and mothers because I think that's how God is. I think it is obvious that He knows our hearts and how difficult it is for us to strike a balance between soft and strong. I don't think that God sees his special creation of women as rich, poor or "middle class." Proverbs 31:10-31 say it best but my favorite part for today is "Her children arise and call her blessed. her husband also, and he praises her. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
No comments:
Post a Comment