Hello, Summer: An Encouragement Challenge for Every Mom
/The title may be a bit misleading. First, full disclosure: It’s not actually summer yet here in New England. While we have had a few brief outbursts of summer heat, it is currently cool and rainy, with little or no sun in sight for the upcoming week. In fact, here’s how it really is: when I checked my weather app this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see warmer temps and much more sun than I had heard was predicted. Just one glitch: turn out I was looking at the forecast for Belfast, Northern Ireland, where my daughter lives, not here in Burlington, MA. Those of you who have been to Ireland will get the joke!
Second potential (though intentional) miscue in the title: While I really do want to share this challenge with every mom, it is particularly directed toward Titus 2 moms (that is, older moms who encourage younger moms—see Titus 2:2-4 in the New Testament). If you are or have been—or might become!—a mentor in Mom to Mom, it’s especially for you. But I deeply believe every mom should take this challenge.
What challenge? The challenge to keep your eyes open this summer for moms in your life who you can encourage in the midst of this wonderful, crazy, exhausting, relentless, joyful adventure called mothering.
This is a bittersweet time of year for me. Sad because I will miss Mom to Mom groups over the summer. Sweet because I love hearing from our member moms. As Mom to Mom groups begin to disband for the summer, many of them give each group a chance to have one person share at the closing brunch what difference Mom to Mom has made in their lives. It’s my favorite day of the year. I love hearing from these moms, and this year I got to share the end-of-year brunch with two different groups—one in Massachusetts, and one in New Hampshire. Each has been using the Mom to Mom curriculum for many years: 25 years in one case, 14 in another.
There are common themes that surface at the year-end brunch every year. One of those most mentioned is always what a huge gift the Titus 2 leaders have been to the moms. A very small sampling:
“I knew from her first phone call that this woman was going to be a rare treasure. She loved us in so many ways, but especially thought her intentionality in keeping a weekly prayer journal with our group so she could pray for us and help us pray for each other.”“I heard God’s truth poured through her and saw it woven into how she lived her life.”“My leaders each year have had different personalities—each amazing in their own way—but this year I have especially seen in my leader the humble, selfless, joyful peace that personifies the verse: ‘In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’”
Another common theme: The enormous gift of loving childcare:
“This was my first time leaving my baby with anyone, and the childcare workers were amazing, freeing me up to soak in all morning what I so needed to hear.”
A Biblically-grounded curriculum which is, at the same time, welcoming to all, challenging, and encouraging is always key.
“. . . the joy of Scripture poured through me weekly . . .”“. . . a sort of weekly mindfulness moment: the reminder of heaven.”“. . . always challenged to grow, always leaving encouraged.”
Why am I telling you all this? Well, for those of you concluding your own Mom to Mom year, I want to encourage you leaders with the huge difference what you have done/are doing can make in many lives. Many moms mention the ripple effect on their husband and kids. And, I might add, future generations.
Years ago someone shared with me a quote. I cannot remember it exactly, nor can I remember who said it, but it went something like this: “If you can help a mom love her life, you change a life. If you change a mom’s life, you change a family. If you change a family, you begin changing a nation.”
I know not all of you are mentor moms—or even involved in a Mom to Mom group. But I also know that every one of you reading this knows a mom in your life—or perhaps many moms—who will need some encouragement over the summer. Keep your eyes open. Look for them. See how you can come alongside and listen to them—really listen! Laugh with them—or cry with them—or maybe both. And look for ways you can point them Godward. Be as transparent as you can about your own struggles as well as your joys. Maybe, just maybe, you can change a life. Or a family. Or more.