Today is my first Mother’s Day in Africa; it has been a day of much reflection and thanksgiving. It has been a very different day of celebrating than my past Mother’s Days. For one we don’t have a church that we attend, so no one asked me to join other mothers in standing for a moment of recognition. But, that is ok. I spent the entire day with my boys and was thrilled to be on the floor playing Legos, reading books, eating meals with them, singing songs, etc. Really, just the normal things we do every day together. I didn’t get a bouquet of flowers (although Josh arrived home from the capital this afternoon with a few Snickers bars that have my name on them!!) and I had to make all of my own meals…from scratch. But that’s ok. This Mother’s Day has been a very normal day in many ways, but I had the opportunity to slow down, be purposeful in each moment, and ask myself what things I have learned as a mom in the past 6 months since moving to Chad:
- God never fails me, never leaves me, and always supplies the words, wisdom, energy, and strength I need – even on the hardest (and hottest!) days.
- My husband is amazing in the way that he unselfishly serves me, helps make life as a wife and mother here as easy as possible, and provides for and protects me and our boys.
- Kids need stability and consistency and they especially need quality time with mom and dad. I am learning to look my kids in the eye when they talk, and really listen to what they have to say. I want them to know they are heard and important – even more so in a new environment where they often can’t communicate with others.
- My kids need traditions, things to look forward to – things that are always the same, day after day and year after year. For us, this means: our family Thanksgiving journal during November, Jesse Tree at Christmas, Lenten Tree at Easter, pancakes with sprinkles on birthdays, morning devotions, bedtime stories and prayers. Making a big deal about holidays is now solely my responsibility – if Josh and I don’t do something to signify a holiday, my children would return to America and never knew the day existed (like Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, etc.).
- Nothing I do (not even missions) is more important than the time I invest in my kids. In many ways, I am a stay-at-home mom just like I would be in America. My house-work looks very different here, but my job is the same. I do want to learn language and have some ministry outlets here (just like I would in the States), but my first job is making sure my children learn to love the Lord and know that mom and dad love them too.
- Helping my kids maintain relationships with family back home requires being purposeful, but is so worth it. I am thankful for Skype to be able to have real face to face conversations (and singing/dancing sessions with grandparents and cousins!).
In many ways, mothering in a new country is very similar to mothering in America. In other ways, things are much different for me. I am grateful for how God is growing me and stretching me in motherhood in ways I wouldn’t pay much attention to in the States! Happy Mother’s Day!!
