Supermom Redefined

There are some moms who wake up beautiful. Every hair in place, no bags under the eyes, manicured, meticulous and lovely. These moms wake up to a tidy house beautifully decorated in Anthropology and Pottery Barn knock offs that they made out in their garage in their spare time. Their kids leave for school dressed in cute, trendy clothes they found at a consignment store and only paid a fraction of the price for and, in their lunch boxes, you will find edamame, bean sprouts and other all natural, healthy foods because their kids like to eat healthy. Dinner is always home cooked, delicious and healthy and her husband does the dishes after supper. Trust me, this isn't me. I wake up ugly. And none of the other stuff happens either.

Some would call this mom supermom. The mom who does it all and does it well. The mom who never loses her temper, who's kids clean their rooms without being asked, who is openly adored by her handsome husband. We envy this woman, stress out trying to be her and chase a fanciful vision of what makes us great moms. 

Let me paint another picture. A mom who wakes up with a swollen nose and red eyes from crying. Crying her heart out for two little boys who live under her roof. Not related by blood, but who share the same  Father. A mom who is collecting clothes size 2T and 3T for little boys who came to her with few things to wear, not even pajamas. A mom who may or may not feed her family the choicest organic foods, but instead who feeds two hungry hearts with love, who feeds two yearning souls with affection, who feeds starving little minds with the security and structure children long for. 

Several months ago our church did a series on caring for the orphans and widows, something that is near and dear to the Lord's heart and something that He spent a lot of time talking about, instructing us on, and commanding us to do. My pastor and his wife took it one step further and decided to open their home to children in foster care.  This past week they got their first kids, brothers, the sweetest tiny boys I have ever seen. I do not know their story, but imagine a two year old crying silent tears, dripping down his face. Lost and confused and scared. Imagine a three year old who has already experienced more hurt and fear than most of us will experience in a lifetime. It's hard to understand why little children have to suffer and live lives they didn't ask for and don't deserve. 

Opening your home, giving up your free time, going back to changing diapers and sippy cups. Trying to right the wrong, heal the hurt, love enough for a lifetime. Putting your heart on the line to be broken. 

A mom who adds to her laundry piles, who feeds extra mouths, who washes and cleans and cares for children who can't pay her back, bring nothing to the table, don't even share her last name. A mom who loves unconditionally, hugs repeatedly, who choses to be the church. A mom who gives up style for serving, who sacrifices hobbies for hope, who lives out her faith by being the arms, hands and feet of Jesus, that is a supermom. 

Matthew 25:40

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’