Pondering Motherhood

That's what I've been doing the past couple of weeks, pondering motherhood. I was preparing for a panel discussion at MOPS. The mentor moms of our group -- women who have raised our kids and are now walking alongside younger women, to give support and encouragement --  would be sharing our collective wisdom at our MOPS meeting, and I wanted to be ready.

Well, that panel discussion was yesterday. I loved being a part of it. I loved how preparing brought so much to my heart and mind. I loved the things the other women shared. I loved that it spoke to the MOPS moms. I loved the tears and the shrieks of laughter that intermingled, not unlike the daily life of a mom.

I've been thinking about Jesus' mother, Mary. We know the Christmas story, how when Jesus was born the angels and shepherd and wise men and even King Herod were talking about the event. Not Mary, though. Luke tells us that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19).

Years ago Mom bought a large paper heart-shaped box and decorated it for me. I called it my Ponder Box. It was a place for me to treasure up the things that needed pondering. The box, the notebooks and the scribbled slips of paper that are stuffed in drawers and file folders around my house all contain things that I am still pondering.

So, starting today, I will do an occasional post about mothering. From time to time you'll see a post with the title "Pondering Motherhood" and then a topic following. It may be my own thoughts or the thoughts of another mom. But it will be from the heart. You may not learn much about potty training on these posts, or when to start giving an allowance. I never did figure those things out! But you will be drawn to the place where mothering begins and ends, the heart.

I'm looking forward to pondering motherhood with you.