By Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, JD
Founder/President, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice
“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”
They say that being a mother is the toughest job you will ever love. I think there is a lot of truth to that. That doesn’t mean that being a mother is always the hardest job to do in and of itself. There are jobs in our world that can be physically, mentally, and emotionally more demanding than being a mom. But the various roles and demands that are placed on mothers in society create layers for the job of motherhood that are distinctly “tough.” And when those layers are intertwined with deep and sacrificial love, the role of mother is like no other.
The circumstances that many mothers face can make the responsibilities of motherhood a significant burden for many around the world. Many mothers have the principal responsibility of caring for their child or children. Many of those mothers are caring for multiple children, children with special needs, or even other children. Many mothers are facing economic hardships that place their families in tremendous need. Many mothers also work outside the home with long hours or difficult circumstances to provide for their families or pursue their careers. Many are single parents who may work outside the home and also have to juggle parenthood on their own or with distant co-parenting. Many are young mothers who have to grow and learn as their children do. Many are older moms that face challenging personal contexts. Many mothers are adoptive, foster, and family members who have to step in for birth mothers. Many mothers are facing discrimination and do not have the opportunities to provide, get ahead, or thrive. Many mothers are facing abuses, whether at home or in the community that cause physical, mental, and emotional strain to them and their motherhood. Many mothers are facing famine, poverty, oppression and war, and are left as slaves or refugees with their families.
But mothers’ roles are not diminished in any way by the political, social, and economic contexts in which they live. They still bring children into the world – truly the greatest gift and opportunity that any human being can have. They still provide and care for their children and families – regardless of their circumstances. They still serve the larger purpose of motherhood – to give children a base to start and continue life. They still sacrifice for the opportunity to give their children a better future.
What each mother does in the life of that each child can have an eternal impact not only for the child, but also our world. And that is certainly the case in my life and the life of our family.
My mother was married at 17 and gave birth to me when she was just 18 years old. She was born and raised in a small village in India and had never travelled beyond that village. Yet, she found the courage to follow my Dad to Canada and the U.S. She had to raise my brother and me, and later my sister, in these western cultures that she did not know. She learned English watching Sesame Street with her kids. She faced economic and social challenges. But her devotion to her faith and to her children provided her with a mission to ensure that her children would thrive, even in a new country and context.
My mother-in-law raised my husband and his brother in difficult circumstances. Their father was an alcoholic and the family faced the challenges of divorce and living in different locations. But even from a distance, my husband’s mother instilled in him the importance of family, education, and a future. Those lessons allowed my husband to persevere and overcome significant challenges to achieve and become the man he is today.
While both of our moms are distinct people who faced distinct circumstances and challenges, they brought us each to a place where we were able to meet, marry, and raise our own family. We often reference our mothers and what they taught us as guides for what we choose to teach our children.
As a mother, I am raising a son and twin daughters. It is not an easy task but one that has been my greatest gift. Each of these children is wholly distinct and I could not have predicted their characteristics. But my hope is to raise each of them with the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ, with a love and support of their family, and with the love and awareness to serve the people of our world.
During each of my pregnancies, I reflected on and learn from the example of Mary, Mother of Jesus. What a gift and burden she had while expecting and when she raised her child, our Savior. The verses in Luke referenced here demonstrate how humbly and faithfully she took on that role, but also how aware she was of the significance and impact of that role – for generations. Following the example of Mary, every mother has a role and an opportunity that impacts generations through each child. Circumstances can make the role of mothers so tough, but the significance of each mother’s role magnifies God’s love.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and mother figures in our lives and in our world!