I have not had the opportunity to conceive a child yet, ha! I know I soon will. Rather I’ve had many chances to mother some babies in temporal spaces of time. I’ve witnessed, heard of and read a number of motherhood chronicles (a friend of mine does a good job at documenting hers on facebook); from the late night hysterical wakes of baby to the legendary comedic expressions on baby’s face without a word muttered, the sudden switch from happy mom to maid on call to the frustrating moments of helplessly watching on as baby throws tantrums. The invaluable toothless smile of baby I must say is what gets me grinning most times.
I crave motherhood, I really do, even though it seems an arduous period right from its inception. I long to hold my seed in my arms, enthusiastic to speak a strange language without any comprehension and to be puked on several times in a day. The Lord knows I patiently await this time in my life. Am I ready for it? I may not know till the time comes but I’ll bet my last pesewa that nothing beats the joy that comes with hearing that first cry of a baby in the labour room.
Last week was practically a baby sitting one for me. My experience expressly got me thinking about the rudiments of motherhood and I couldn’t help but relate it to God’s relationship with me. He gives me life, my very first breathe was probably the sound of my first cry to Him, and just like mother holds baby in her arms with gladness, He’s held me all these years. When I became born again, spiritual meal times served as our bonding sessions as with mother-baby breast-feeding. There were times I choked and threw up and out the meals He served, creating a mess of myself; these times He, unlike mother happily cleaned me up and made me whole again. Like mother changes the diapers of baby, He frequently rights my wrongs and offers me the chance to be right with Him. Mother strives to clothe baby with the finest attire she can afford, likewise He’s clad me with His goodness and allows me to radiate His glory. She wraps baby in swaddling cloth; an extra layer of protection I guess, but He wraps me with grace, mercy and favour and adds on an armour to fend off the enemy. I disturb Him with sleepless nights of cries and requests but He patiently and opportunely pays me mind. Thank God He doesn’t sleep nor slumber for mother catches a glimpse of sleep when baby rests. Although mother bathes baby every day, thankfully His water baptism is powerful enough to last a lifetime. I put Him through a lot, but like mother, His love only grows stronger.
Gradually mother goes through the day facing each hurdle with baby one after the other and just like that God holds my hand through it all assuring me of His presence every step of the way. At the end of the day, she holds baby in her arms again and rocks baby to sleep and just like baby, I will rest in the bosom of Christ when He rocks me to sleep.
They say nothing beats the joys of motherhood, I say having God tramps that experience. I cannot express the immense joy in having a relationship with God. He doubles as a father and a mother. Try developing a relationship with Him today. Better late than never.
queenlysmith 