Last night I watched a re-run of a Hallmark movie which I had seen before. I'm not ashamed to admit that. I really like a lot of them. Schmaltsy? Maybe. But they are often good for my soul and I find a little nugget of wisdom and hope that I can carry with me. So it was last night.
I don't even remember the name of this movie...something about Leah. And I'm not going to share the storyline. Just the nugget of wisdom that has come back to me several times today. It was something that the mother in the story said to her daughter who was going through a difficult time in her life that pierced my heart with it's truth. She said, "A mother is only as happy as her saddest child."
I know that every mother out there knows the veracity of that statement. Whether your child is an infant suffering from colic or a mother herself who is struggling with the cares of this life...or somewhere in between...you know that your own happiness is completely woven into the tapestry of your children's lives. When they are hurting, or struggling, you feel unsettled as you also experience the pain. You'd do anything possible to ease the situation. You'd make any sacrifice necessary to bring joy and healing. You would simply do anything and everything to help.
But you also know, that sometimes there is nothing you CAN do in the physical sense. You don't have the wisdom, the skills, the money, the influence...you name it...it's just not there. And it breaks your heart.
That's where I am right now. I long to solve a situation, to bring peace and happiness out of an unsettled place. But I don't know how. I don't have the answers. And the funny thing is, I'm not suppose to have the answers. But I know Who does!
And that's why a little while ago, I took my lawn chair to a quiet place in my yard and simply sat and prayed. I unburdened my heart. I asked for peace for my child as well as for myself. I claimed promises I know that God will keep. And finally, I thanked Him for the way things are right now. For the struggles, the pain, the unsettledness. I thanked Him that He understands that a parent can only be as happy as their saddest child, because He feels the same way about all of His children. Which means, He's only as happy as I am...or you are. But the biggest difference is that He does have the power to bring the joy and healing when the time is right.
So, thank you Lord. And thank you Hallmark! A bit of wisdom for the day.
