The Divine Role of Mother
This photo by Dorothy Lange is so expressive, and makes one question why life should be so difficult. Being a mother I have come to understand a little better the role of my Heavenly Father in allowing these difficulties. As a child, a teenager especially, and sometimes as an adult it is easy to ask questions like:
Why do we need to have rules?
Why do I have to do hard things?
Why can’t I be given an allowance instead of working for it?
Why should I serve others? What about me?
Now as a mother I understand His role in my life better, and why these things must be so. I have learned that children are actually empowered by rules. They know what is expected of them, and gain confidence when they follow those rules. I think it’s also true with adults. We like to know what God expects of us, and feel good when we make good choices.
When we stick through a hard task, the sense of accomplishment we feel can help us discover our true potential and give us the motivation to try more new things and better ourselves. The struggles we face will show us our strengths, and help us strengthen our weaknesses.
It’s true that when you work for something, you value it more than if it is given to you because of the feeling of accomplishment you get from the process. I remember starting to buy my own clothes by age ten and learning the value of work. If the Lord gave us everything we would not be as grateful for the blessings we have.
As much as we hear about the importance of knowing yourself, it is even more important to be able to put the needs of others before your own sometimes. Showing compassion for others helps you appreciate your own circumstances, and learn to see the world through another’s eyes. Empathy is a virtue that can be overlooked, but there is a peace that comes from seeing another perspective and being able to appreciate it even if you don’t agree with it.
It’s hard to watch your children struggle, and even harder when they resent you for letting them struggle, but I’m grateful that there is a purpose to it all, and that in the end, my children will be better for it.
You have a talent for putting your thoughts on paper and I completely agree with everything you are saying. I want my children to appreciate everything they have and it is so hard to make them understand. We are starting small… Liv poured a bottle of her shampoo down the drain so she has to pick up sticks in the backyard to earn money to pay for a new bottle. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.