132/365

Thankful for the moms in my family, and for the moms that have taught me how to walk this road in faith, and for the kids that call me mom, and for homemade cards and paintings, and for sweet notes, and for lunch and good conversation, and an iTunes gift card besides.
Thankful.

But also, I think of the women I know who aren't called "mom" and mourn that, but who are such encouragement to me and so many others. I think of the many days of mothering that are near failures, the ugly days when I have to crawl back and beg forgiveness for doing such a lousy job in this honorable call. And then I read this, and think, yeah, that's what I want to say...

"The deal is — Motherhood isn’t sainthood and we’re all a bunch of sinners here and don’t let anyone tell you any different — pushing something out of your womb doesn’t make you a better woman. Real Womanhood isn’t a function of becoming a great mother, but of being loved by your Great Father. Someone write that on a card with a bouquet of flowers. We all need that." 
- Ann Voskamp, A Holy Experience, "Why Mother's Day is for the Birds," May 10, 2013