Mother's day thoughts

As I see all the posts on motherhood and a mother's love on facebook it makes me think about something I heard an older midwife say to a scared young mom on an episode of Call the Midwife.
She made the comment that a lot of people see love as a magical moment when your baby  is first placed in your arms. But that real love is doing the right thing for your child even when you are scared to death.
I wish someone had been there to tell me that when I had my babies. My moments right after birth were far from magic as I was out of it with pain, getting stitches, and throwing up. I used to feel bad that I never experienced the miraculous, magic moment of love that is described. 

Now years later,  I realize that love is not always a feeling.  Love is taking care of that baby, providing its needs, doing what is best for it, day in and day out, even when you are exhausted, afraid, or going through postpartum depression. Simply trusting God and doing the next right thing. Day after day of hopefully showing that child the love of Christ through our actions. The feelings of love come, but the pushing through, deciding to love no matter how we feel, and God's grace is what keeps us going every day in the journey of being a mom. Well, and maybe a little coffee, wine, and chocolate too :-). I'm so thankful for God's goodness in blessing me with the job of being mom to our littles, and I love them very much!

My mother's day gift from John :-)