a voice for mothers. compassion.

The tears rolled from my cheeks. Heavy, thick sobs that could no longer be hidden as my body shook with each contraction. There wasn’t much space to breathe, nowhere to escape, and the emotion of the moment caught up with me…

....I wonder about those mothers that I see on the Compassion site. I wonder about them laboring and if the tears fell just like mine, rolling down their faces and forming puddles on their shirts.

I wonder about the times when they open their doors and welcome children in and become mom and don’t worry about the food to provide but rather open their hearts and homes. I wonder about the mother of the little one at the top of the Compassion Blog, drinking water – safe water – from the faucet.


Today, I am honored to be over on the Compassion Blog sharing about Mother's Day and writing an essay that gives tribute to mothers of the world. I am passionate about Compassion's mission and their heart for children. Please take a moment and read my post on their site and then consider sharing it with others. Together we can be a voice for these mothers and these children and help bring awareness to the many living in real poverty.

  How Can We Be A Voice for Mothers? 

image courtesy of compassion

I beyond blessed by this opportunity to be a voice, to share my heart, and to step out of the box of comfort and think about mothers raising children all over the world in different circumstances and in poverty. It was humbling to think of life, and of mothers, in a perspective that moved away from the often taken for granted conveniences of my own life. In fact, I related the story of when Samuel was in the hospital with influenza and how numerous times doctors told me how children died from influenza (and other illnesses) in third world countries every single day because they didn't have access to medical care like we did.

Compassion changes the lives of children. It opens doors, protects them, helps give access to medical care, and gives opportunities where there are often none. Today, take a minute and remember those mothers and those children. You can make a difference in their lives.


Finally, I teamed up with the Compassion Bloggers Network for this post. Learn how you can use your voice in the blog-o-sphere to help children in poverty and join me in posting a tribute for mothers in poverty.

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The Strength of a Mother. (Meet Joel)

Real short, real sweet, and very powerful. My good friend Dan, from Letters from Dan, sent me this amazing video (Meet Joel) that portrayed with profound beauty the depth of a mother's love, her fight, and the strength that moms demonstrate. He warned me that I wouldn't get through it without getting weepy.

He was right.

I cried and I wept and I nodded and smiled and cheered and mourned and was ultimately filled with awe at the strength of this sweet mother to little Joel. She inspires me to grab today, to savor this moment, and to be grateful for the normal days tucked within the fabric of life. Joel's mother is real - a fighter, a believer in the good, and an example of grace even in the most heart-breaking of times.

And that is why I'm sharing the video with you. I'm sharing it with you because it is a reminder to me, and to you, of the amazing strength that mothers (and fathers) have within. Let the video remind you to live fully today, celebrating the little moments, finding joy, and being grateful for the children in your lives.

Here's the video. Grab your kleenex. And hug your kids.

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dear mom who feels like she wants to quit.

Don't quit.

I know it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and that it really doesn't matter if the dishes are done or that no one really cares that you stayed up till 2 am folding laundry or that you are just overlooked. I know you sit in the car and put your head on the steering wheel and the tears roll down at times. I know that sometimes you just want to throw in the towel and whisper (or scream) that you've had enough of all of this. I know. I know because I have felt that way.

I remember sitting in the bathroom behind the door with my head in my hands thinking that I couldn't do this motherhood thing anymore and that I really didn't matter or make a difference and that I would never ever catch up on laundry - which, by the way, I've never really caught up on. And because I've felt that way I'm writing today to tell you that you, right now, matter more than you might ever realize.

You, and your life, your voice, your giving of self, and all of that matters.

There will be days that are hard. Weeks that are hard. Months that are hard.  But, you can do this. I know you can. You can pick yourself up, brush off the words that hold you back, and you can be mom today. You can look in your children's eyes and tell them how much you love them - even though you are remembering how much they sassed back to you this morning - and you can love them unconditionally. You can make those pbjs for lunch today and sliced apples and can actually get the straw in the juice pouch on the first time. Or the second. You can drive those kids to soccer or ballet or to school or to where ever and you will tell yourself that you sitting in the car with them matters.

Quitting means stopping. And you don't stop.

A wise friend of mine told me this weekend that we only fail when we quit.

Motherhood doesn't look anything like I imagined when I was young. Motherhood doesn't look like those pinterest boards full of birthday ideas with perfect fondant cakes and party favors that take three hours to make. Those moments are there. But seriously, listen to me, those things don't make a mother. Those things, while they are beautiful, they don't really matter in the life journey. Do you know what matters? You. Right now, reading these words, who is about to give of herself for her family.

Do you realize what an amazing impact you are leaving? Don't tell me about all the times you've messed up. I've got them as well. But do you remember all the times where you have done well? Or the times when you've been there? Sitting up at one am rocking a toddler with a bad dream. Making dinner out of a pantry that is bare. Giving up on something you need so that your child can get what they need. Helping with math. Reading a story. Folding those clothes. Making lunches. Teaching. Listening to their stories. Being silly. Laughing. Holding the puke bucket. Wiping faces. Putting art on the wall. Watching them sleep.

Those are the moments in life that you are blessed to live.

So you may feel like you want to quit. Don't. Pick up the motherhood towel right now and instead tell yourself you can do this today. You can. You can for your family. Don't look at how Sally is mothering, or what the facebook status states, or the pinterest picture of the perfect mother. You are the perfect mother for your children today. Do not let the world qualify your motherhood. There is no price tag large enough that would ever illustrate the true value of motherhood. You are an amazing gift to your family.

I believe in you.

What are you waiting for? You can do this, sweet mother.

You totally can.

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent. Affiliate links may be used. Please read disclosure policy for full details

For more reminders about why motherhood matters check out my my dear mom letter ebook - it's full of letters reminding you why you matter and why you're not failing and honestly, why mothers are absolutely amazing.