What Mamas Know, What We Do Not, And Why It’s OK (Plus a Giveaway)

Nine years ago, our daughter Amber gifted me with a compact five-year diary for Christmas.

 I filled the first one, and 2024 marks the fourth year of using the second. As I jot a short entry each day, I glance back over the events of past years.

I’m often startled at how much I’ve forgotten.

Those situations I fretted about or feared might come to pass? Odd that I don’t recall most of them. They seem to have veered into the ditch before they ever met me on the road.

The times I was surprised by joy or graced with unexpected gifts? I’m thankful I wrote them down—better to bless yet again the names of the givers.

The names of family members and friends who’ve soared to heaven? The dates of their final flights are recorded as reminders to reach out to their closest kin, who cradle these loved ones so tenderly in their hearts.

Why do we forget that many of the blessings we currently enjoy are the very things we prayed for in the past?

I’ve often wondered. . .  If Mary of Nazareth had kept a diary over the years of her baby boy’s life, what might it have contained?

She didn’t know he’d one day walk on water.

She didn’t know he’d give sight to a blind man.

She didn’t know he would calm a storm with his hand.

We mothers can only imagine the wondrous things our children will do.

Did she know that their family would become refugees, exiled to Egypt, ignored as immigrants?

Did she know the townspeople who once favored her boy would threaten him instead because he was different?

Did she know that the little miracle she prodded him to perform at a family wedding would launch a public ministry that would still be changing lives two thousand years later?

Did she know the scale of that ministry would impale him on a Roman cross just three years later?

No, she didn’t know.

But she knew this: That God’s redemptive purposes were far bigger than the individual sacrifices her family would make.

That her child’s Father had a plan for him far beyond anything she could devise.

That no matter what chasms of creed or culture might try to separate them, the power of love was stronger still.

This, Mary knew.

And you, mama?

No matter how big or little your baby is now—no matter what he or she is going through--you know this, too.  God has a plan for your child better than anything you can imagine.

And that’s enough.

-       Maggie Wallem Rowe

Post inspired by a message delivered by Rev. Chris Westmoreland on 12/ 8/ 24 at Longs Chapel, Waynesville, NC.

DECEMBER GIVEAWAY

Want to start 2025 in a fresh way? Please leave a comment to be entered into our drawing for a copy of acclaimed author Janet McHenry’s collection of 365 devotional essays, Looking Up!

(from the cover)    Become more intentional with your time spent in God’s Word and dive deeper into your relationship with Him with overwhelming joy, boldness, and thanksgiving.

Through 365 daily devotions that lead you from Genesis to Revelation, well-known author and speaker Janet Holm McHenry shares the truths she’s learned about God, His promises to those who love Him, and the joy you too can find in your salvation. 

 Having read through the entire Bible each year for more than 20 years, Janet’s wise insights invite you to step confidently in your faith as you dedicate a part of each day to studying the Word. Each devotion includes a focus verse, Scripture-based prayer, and an optional read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year plan to help you jumpstart your time with the Lord.