Celebrating Mom

I never imagined that asking for pictures of moms who have been impacted by Love Adelyn would be so emotional for me. This little project was only intended to build awareness and show the faces behind our impact. We wanted to highlight moms because we are promoting a fundraiser to help provide mom’s with care packages around Mother’s Day.  (Visit www.loveadelyn.com to learn more.)

As the pictures were messaged to me or simply shared on Facebook, each and every one of them left me overwhelmed with emotions. I found myself just sitting and looking at pictures of these beautiful and strong women in awe.

With the exception of one woman, these women are really strangers to me. Some of them we have met a time or two, others only through social media and emails. Yet, my heart feels so connected. We are connected because of the love for our children and the crosses we were asked to carry.

Really what had the most impact on me was looking at these mother’s eyes and smiles. Then reflecting on how as women we are so quick to judge and shame, many times to make us feel better about our insecurities. These women are great examples and true examples of every woman (and man) we encounter….we all have a story, we all have crosses, and we are battling every day.

What if we lived in a world where we built others up versus tearing them down?
What if we loved each other – meaning truly wanting what is best for each and every person we face, even those who have wronged us?
What if every day we went out of our way to put others needs in front of ours?
What if each and every day, despite what crosses we are carrying, we approached the day with zest for serving others and for life alone? (Yes, even on Mondays.)

It is so easy for us to get caught up in dishes, homework, soccer games, bad days at work, frustration with family members, AND OH YES showering, makeup, wondering if a shirt you bought in 2001 is still in style, and occasionally remembering to shave your legs.  It is easy for us to get wrapped in our anger and frustration towards others because honestly on the surface that can seem easier than forgiving. It is easy for us to…….ok you get it and we just need to  STOP IT!!

Our journey with Adelyn made our world stop. During that time as the rest of the world continued on our lives stopped. All those things that seemed so important before all of a sudden were not. God had slapped us right in the face with our cross, asked us to carry it with strength and great love, and we walked away broken but stronger.  
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Now as the day to day pressure of our culture and lives has creeped back into our everyday,  I struggle with everything listed above. But the pictures of these women remind me to keep fighting every day to put others first, to continue serving, and to love everyone that my path crosses.  Thank you Marla, Jen, Rachel, Karen, Kristin, and Ashlee for being amazing moms and for inspiring me!