Frontline Mom

This morning I woke up and my mind wandered to God. Pleasant thoughts and simple praise. Within seconds I turned and snuggled into Cam who was still in bed, too. The blinds were up, so the light was coming in. It was 7:00 a.m. We slept in. 

Then within seconds, my mind wandered to the day ahead, and it hit me: it’s still true. It wasn’t a dream. It’s not all gone away from us. No prayer, post, or positive message has changed the fact that David has cancer. My son has cancer. (Yes, the MRI confirmed this. And a more severe chemotherapy treatment will begin after his law exams wrap up in two weeks. He’ll spend the summer being treated here in Philadelphia.)

My mother-heart is so heavy. 

And as I genuinely celebrate mothers, acclaiming and honoring every single one of us, I also know we celebrate because we mothers have been something. We’re doing and overcoming something all the time. 

Right now, more than ever, we could all use a little joy. So I challenge you to get active in my 10 Days 10 Ways to Celebrate Mom challenge over on Facebook or Instagram (and truly, let’s celebrate together!). I equally ask you to sit with me for a moment. Sit with my mother-heart for those of us who have been or who are in the thick of things. While every mom is a frontline mom, here’s a particular group of moms I’m praying and weeping for today:

• Grocery clerk mom

• Disabled mom

• Health care mom

• Homeschool teacher mom

• Single mom

• Truck driving mom

• Delivery mom

I’m also praying for moms who parent:

• A disabled child

• A spiritually obstinate child

• A child with mental illness/depression

• A developmentally challenged child

• A child who is addicted to substances

• A child who is suffering severe illness

• An abused child

Every day you’re on the frontlines, Mom. You spend more time on your tippy-toes and knees.

As I celebrate moms–with joy to make the days bright–I also challenge us moms who suffer on the harsh frontlines to look at Jesus:

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So, they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. (Mark 6:31, 32).

Mom, if you’re feeling anything like what I’m feeling today, then you know we must pull away in order to get through this season. 

You must get away. You cannot do it all. And you certainly cannot do it alone. Follow Jesus as He regularly leads you away from your demands. Know I am celebrating and praying for you along the way. 

I honor and love you.

~ Nancy