I saw her standing by her minivan, infant on her hip, two year-old climbing in the flowerbed, four year-old refusing to step out of the car.
She was counting out loud, a sure sign of a mama in the clutches of the battle of wills.
“Can I help you?” I asked. “I have four of my own, and I know how it can be.”
Her brow softened and she graciously refused my offer.
“I can’t wait for them to be back in school,” she almost cried.
This was a Mama at the end of her rope.
I reached my hand out and patted her shoulder before walking on. I have been the refuser of help many times- too many, in fact.
It is easy to forget how much we super moms need one another.
We all know the weight of mothering is meant for us to carry, but I wished she had let me walk alongside her for a moment in this fight of love we call motherhood.
The battle begins when mamas fall short of the pressure we feel to take perfect care of our families and ourselves as well.
Young children fight against our wisdom in their quest for their own happiness.
The battle lines fall heavily if we mothers seek only our own happiness, too.
But if we completely lay aside our own hearts and live for them, we will face a dark day when they grow up and go away. We will be left piecing twenty year-old scraps of ourselves back together.
We super moms just can’t let that happen to each other.
I would like to put on my cape and drive around town, looking for my sisters in combat. I would carry their heavy carseats, buckle screaming toddlers, pass out gummy treats to the little ones, and offer cupcakes and coffee to the tired mothers.
I would look into her eyes and tell her that while her tired toddler may not care how Mama is doing, the God who values sacrificial love is honored by her service.
I would pull out a little gift and hand it to her. Inside the sparkly wrapping would be a heart on a string. I would tell her that if she treasures the heart of her children, teaching them to treasure her own as well, that this long and broken road will be well worth the pain one day.
Then I would ask if I could pray for her. I would ask God to pour mercy and patience into her heart. I would beg him for wisdom to fill her mind, and for faith in the gospel to strengthen her weary body.
After that I would hop back in my van and head to the next Wal-mart or Target or school parking lot.
That is what I wish I could do today because there have been days I was the mama who wished for deliverance from her children, for school to start, for some kind of relief from the strain of sleep deprivation, bad attitudes, and ingratitude for my love.
To my sweet fellow super moms, who have come alongside me in those moments and lifted me up: Thank you.
I’m off to find my cape and pass on the love.