for mother's day

"While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity, in the Lord's language, the word mother has many layers of meaning. Of all the words they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve 'the mother of all living' - and they did so before she ever bore a child. Like Eve, our motherhood began before we were born. Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us.

As mothers in Israel, we are the Lord's secret weapon. Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning. In the pre-mortal world, when our Father described our role, I wonder if we didn't stand in wide-eyed wonder that He would bless us with a sacred trust so central to His plan and that He would endow us with gifts so vital to the loving and leading of His children. I wonder if we shouted for joy at least in part because of the ennobling stature He gave us in His kingdom. The world won't tell you that, but the spirit will."

-- Sheri Dew     

My sister, Leslie, spoke in her ward yesterday, and she included this quote in her talk. I thought it was so powerful, and such a good reminder on a Mother's Day of our divine nature as women. This is why I love Mother's Day so much, because it gives me a chance to remember these truths about myself and to recommit myself to the important work of nurturing these children. The homemade cards and poems aren't so bad, either. :)

I hope you all had a nice weekend.