Stories of Motherhood

The stories of motherhood leave a legacy imprinted on our hearts. Sometimes, they are stories of quiet, gentle, sacrifice recognized years later. Sometimes, they are those humorous stories of family lore. Sometimes, they are stories of great sorrow and loss, wounds that God is healing. So today, we celebrate and honor them all.

The women of The Signatry are celebrating the moms who inspire them so that as women we are speaking life to one another. Join and share your own stories that inspire you from motherhood.

The Sacrifice of a Single Mom

On this Mother’s Day, as we look to those women in our lives that have inspired us, for me, it is my mother. Growing up in a single-family home, her sacrifice to support my sister and I was evident in that she was willing to work 3^rd shift at General Motors to make sure we were taken care of. It meant my sister taking care of me the best that she could after school each day. It included cooking dinner for the both of us and attempting to help me with homework. As an adult, I have seen those years of support move to that of a mother who truly is a prayer warrior. Instead of nights spent up with me as a child, they are now in fervent prayer for our family. She truly inspires me to be a mother of prayer and strength. -Rhiannon K.

She has had many hardships and tragedies including rheumatoid arthritis, loss of a grown son, family out of the country, but in spite of her circumstances, her focus was on others.  She exhibited genuine interest in others and their well-being, never self-focused.  She still delights me with a text or a phone call to check in. She has one of the most generous hearts and has lived out “love your neighbor” tremendously!  – Nikki C.

A Faith Cancer Cannot Contain

I have the privilege to know the most amazing young mom, Julia. We met through MOPS, and she attends our small local church. Here’s the reality of her life today – she’s 32 years old, 26 weeks pregnant with baby number two, battling cervical cancer, four chemo treatments while pregnant under her belt, and she has a special needs 3-year-old with global brain damage. But none of these things define who she is in Jesus Christ! Her faith and trust are completely grounded in the Lord

As she faces delivery of her sweet baby boy at 35 weeks by cesarean followed immediately by a radical hysterectomy, she is joyful and an encouragement to everyone around her! Her grace, faith and willingness to be vulnerable and open about everything she’s facing with others is a testimony of God’s faithfulness in the midst of so many trials. Her desire is only to glorify the Lord and what He is doing in her life. So, this Mother’s Day, we honor Julia. She is touching many lives and pointing them right back to the one who true Savior and the one who holds her future. – Gretchen D.

Because of her example, I’ve had the opportunity to speak into the lives of my children and their friends in a way that can only be done when I’m truly involved.  It makes all the carpools, empty refrigerators and messy kitchens worth it!  I hope my kids will feel the same way, some day.  (They definitely don’t see it now.) – Kim H.

Running the Race Well

My Mom is my inspiration of grace: she raised 8 daughters, single-handedly, with a largely absent and alcoholic husband, while working x3 jobs at times. She, to this day, never complains.

My Mom is my inspiration of unconditional love: me and my 8 sisters are all very different, yet cohesive. My mom taught us to get along and be kind to each other, regardless. Always hope for the best to come out of each other.

My Mom is my inspiration for taking the narrow path and perseverance: she has been faced with decisions that were critical and honestly given the circumstances no one would blame her for taking the easy way, but she didn’t, time and again. She took the right way. – Michelle D.

We both grew up believing in God, but we did not have the relationship we have with Him now, which I believe has brought us closer together as mother/daughter and sisters in Christ. She and I have both been able to grow in our faith together by attending several women’s Bible studies at my church and encouraging each other by sharing daily Bible verses. My husband and I have been incredibly blessed to have my mother play a huge role in our children’s lives. She has watched both of our kiddos from a very young age, which has provided her an opportunity to share the gospel with them!  – Lauren S.