Love Until it Hurts!

Work has been slow because of the economy. I did manage a midweek trip to NY this week for the usual meetings with clients etc. This weekend we will be down south in Greenville for an event. The advantage to the slow economy has been more time with the kids. Two years ago I wouldn't have been able to be there for as many ballgames, practices etc. Today my oldest son (Yankee Fan-Jeter) pitched in a game and also played shortstop. He is so small but really a force to be reckoned with leading the entire team to victory. This is the first year of kid pitch. It was so hot. Gratootie (my oldest Ethiopian daughter---giving them all nicknames) spent the day with her best friend at the movies and wearing identical outfits. Next weekend is prom for Schmoopy who will be graduating in a month too..YIKES...Hubby and I went to see FIREPROOF for free at a nearby church. He doesn't like chick flicks.

Being a mother of 6 kids is incredible. For me the it all comes back to unconditional love and accepting our children and serving them regardless of their circumstances/background or imperfections. I had no idea what to expect when I gave birth to Schmoopy and Jeter as well as adopting my 4 amazing kids. As parents we all have to spend times worrying through illnesses, accidents, etc. With the baby we were told she may have some health issues because of being slow developmentally due to her weight. She rolled over late, walked late but is now the smartest child we know. When our Ethiopian children came home we had some unexpected health issues which were resolved. As parents we never know how many days we have with our kids. Every day is precious. I remember when Schmoopy came home I couldn't believe how even two weeks with her seemed like a lifetime and my life had changed for the better in a major way through serving her. I don't believe that there are any imperfect children. I believe God creates us each perfectly for our purposes here. Our lives are not just about what we can live through, experience and take in, it's also about what our lives mean to others. Each child of mine has a place and purpose that has enhanced not only our lives but their teachers, friends, neighbors and grandparents. I think when we decide to parent there is always fear of something not being perfect or flawed in our children but the bottom line is that we all have to rise to the occassion and love our children as they are and how they were created. Sometimes it is really difficult to decide to love. Mother Teresa said this: "How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love, and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts. Jesus gave even his life to love us. So the mother who is thinking of abortion, should be helped to love - that is, to give until it hurts her plans, or her free time, to respect the life of her child. The father of that child, whoever he is, must also give until it hurts. By abortion, the mother does not learn to love,"

I have been in the position to choose to not face the opportunity to love until it hurts. I have been in a position to look a doctor in the eye who told me to abort one of my perfect children because of a high CVS test and tell him 'I will not abort my child no matter what." I have been on both sides. I can say that I have learned how to love 6x's over by choosing to LOVE UNTIL IT HURTS...All of my children have some sort of imperfection by the world's standards. But in my eyes they are perfect and in God's eyes they are here for a purpose designed perfectly for this time and this place...sometimes humans can't see it because we haven't grown the right eyes to view it properly.

Mother Teresa also said: At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.' Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked for human dignity and respect.

Finally my favorite quote of hers: How can there be too many children? That's like saying there are too many flowers...

Each one of us is precious and I am so grateful that somehow my children all of whom I never imagined would be here have come to me so that I can learn how to truly love. But it isn't only about me ...it is about being obedient to God's purpose for me as the mother to these kids. Regardless, of not knowing what tomorrow brings and whether or not our kids will be perfect...he does call us to LOVE UNTIL IT HURTS...