Motherhood from the other side

I was speaking with my friend Paula today and we discussed motherhood. I expressed my concern of not being a 'true' mother. I am a mother, a step mother, but a true mother I am not was my argument. She laid it out in laments terms for me.

As a mother our job is to raise our children with love and kindness. We are to teach them up in the ways of the Lord and impress upon them the extreme urgency to live a righteous life serving Heavenly Father and none other. We are to SHOW them how to be a kind spirit with a generous hearts. Our example is the only thing they will have when it is time for them to become parents.

She later went on to talk about exhalation. Our main purpose in this life is to return to Him. To dwell with Him and live the rest of eternity surrounded with those that we love.

I have thought of all of this tonight and realized that, while I am not a 'Mom', I am a mother. I raise my kids with love. I ensure they attend church and that we have the Spirit in our home. I ensure that the gospel is a part of their lives everyday that we have them at home. I salute all you mothers out there. It is no easy task raising children and I know, as many of you, that in the end it will all be worth it. I can't wait to see my children grow into AMAZING adults and parents. Though the time will take forever yet go by so quickly, I am honored to have the chance to be the best mother I can to my children. Thank you Austin for giving me the best gift I could ever ask for, my life, my kids.