God’s Invitation Into The Depths
UNEXPECTED SURPRISES
As my husband and I excitedly ventured into the golden years of our marriage and music career—with the pride of having raised two excellent young men—we found ourselves somewhere we never expected. We found ourselves in love with a 16-month-old baby girl in need of a family.
Since we never sought out foster care, nor did we have a desire to adopt children, I can honestly say we did not see this bonus blessing coming. Had it not been for a dream God showed me a year prior, I’m not sure my heart would’ve recognized this opportunity. Our calendar was filled with travel plans and concerts. God’s calendar had something more profound on it.
DO I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES
The interesting thing is, I never really had a mom growing up, but with the gracious help of family, my dad did the best he could raising me and my brother. I learned to be tough and super independent—and that served me well when it came time to raise boys. But not having been raised with a mom, how was I supposed to get the tools and knowledge needed to be a girl mom? There were so many times that I would go to the Lord and say, “Teach me how to do this.”
HEALED AND HEALING
As God would have it, helping this child navigate the painful things she experienced in her past, made me realize that I too needed healing and a deeper revelation of the Father’s love.
GOD’S INVITATION TO GO DEEPER
In yet another surprising twist, I found myself plunged into the deep-end of total reliance on God’s wisdom for parenting. Like a scuba-diver putting on my wetsuit and oxygen tank, I became dependent on God’s word and presence in my life. I could’ve stayed on the shore and thought “the view is pretty enough from here” but then I would’ve missed out on the beautiful marine life that can only ever be seen when you plunge yourself into the depths.
To take this analogy farther, think about the many stages of parenting…Each age, developmental milestone, requires something different of us. As we sink deeper into each new season with our kids, we have to maintain the position of our breath, we have to intentionally move with the rhythm of the waves, and we may not be able to move as fast as we can when we’re on the land of easy.
It’s a lot of work to change your clothes and get in the scuba gear. It’s tight, heavy, there’s a lot of uncertainty and you are definitely not in control like you are when you’re on dry land—but it’s worth it.
The Essence of Motherhood
We have raised this beautiful little one with songs about Jesus, prayer, lots of laughs, early mornings, love, copious amounts of ketchup (please don’t judge me, ha!)—all mixed with bobos, tantrums, and the daintiest wild weeds brought to me while hearing the sweetest voice say, “Look Mom, I picked you some flowers!”
(And yes, I have tears in my eyes recounting that sweet voice with those flowers.)
This is the essence of motherhood—plunging into God’s holy invitation to go deeper in His love and wisdom. How we respond is up to us. But I choose to say yes, and I hope you will join me in the vast ocean of motherhood, in the deep end of God’s goodness.
From Another Mother,
Dalila S.