Mother's Day 2014

I'm struck today by the weight a mother carries. The deep fear of wanting our children to love us, while we instill and build their character. I carry the weight of what the future holds for them. As I balance loving them and enjoying them with the daily challenge of correcting poor choices, teaching respect, giving consequences for disobedience. I do all of this on my own knowledge of the differences in each of their personalities. I hug them close and see them as little, but am reminded that they are growing quickly and my time with them is short. I pray for them, but wish I could spend more time earnestly praying God protects them. God holds their future and I beg Him to give me a glimpse, but instead He gives me peace and assurance that He chose me as their mother. That is enough for now. 
My love for them is unexplainable. My joy that God gave me all four of them pours out of me in all different ways, tears and laughter and heaviness and appreciation that I am not alone in this journey. I am so very thankful that these four are mine, but they belong to Jesus. What a wonderful Mother's day gift.