THE REAL WORLD CHANGERS
Mothers have a unique call and gifting! I have been surrounded by mothers that have supported me my whole life. My own mother lost her husband and the love of her life at 20 years old. Despite her circumstances, she paved a life full of kindness and perseverance. My mom was my greatest support and most faithful friend. I’d propose mothers are the life-saving and world-changing agents we all have experienced; if we all loved and served like them the world would be a better place.
In honor of Mother’s Day, I asked my wife and the incredible mother of our four children, Kathy Vallotton, to share a story from her new book The Good, the God, and the Ugly . I wanted her to share with you how she has processed not only the joys and triumphs of motherhood, but also the pain and disappointment . I hope you feel encouraged, loved, and celebrated today.
A Note From Kathy:
I became a mother at 18 years old; it was my lifelong dream — yet, I felt far from qualified. Kris and I brought our first baby girl home from the hospital and were in awe and wonder at what our life as parents would entail. After raising four children and 10 grandchildren, I can tell you now it is my greatest joy and has been my deepest pain. It can feel like you are the anchor to a ship that has sailed into a never-ending storm. It is not always easy; I know in my parenting days it has often felt like with every triumph there is a challenge and with every frustration there is new hope.
However, with over 45 years of parenting under our belts now, I want to encourage all the moms out there. Whether, you are a biological mother, spiritual mother, stepmother, or godmother you are loved and cherished. The love you pour out each day to the children you have been given does not return void.
I learned early on; the world is in need of mothers — the call of a mom goes beyond serving and nurturing our own children. One of the most powerful lessons I learned as a mom and we learned as a family was that miracles are commonly discovered in “the land of risk,” and there are few things riskier than inviting strangers into your home to live with you. In the first 18 years of our marriage, our guests often outnumbered our own children. This dynamic thrust us into the adventure of a lifetime, where there was never a dull moment at the Vallotton home.
So much of our passion to touch the homeless, help the broken, and free the captives was inspired by a young, radical Jesus freak named Tracy Evans . Tracy really became part of our family. One day she came home from work and began telling me about a girl she had met whom I will refer to as “Sharon” (not her real name). Tracy was working as a nurse at the local hospital, where she met Sharon. Tracy shared with me that Sharon had ended up in the hospital because she was all cut up from running into some sharp pieces of trash in the dark. (There was a lot more to that story, none of it good.) She had no family to speak of, and on top of all that, it was her birthday.
Sharon’s situation touched me deeply. I felt sorry for her, and compassion gushed out of me like an untamed river. But I could feel there was more to the story. Tracy shared with me “she’s been involved in satanism, and she’s really confused. What she needs is a secure, loving family to live with for a while.” My mama’s heart was moved just thinking of how a loving family could impact Sharon’s life. After a long discussion, Kris and I came to the decision she could stay with us for one week at most.
WHEN YOU DON’T SEE THE FRUIT OF IT
When Sharon arrived at our house it soon became apparent that she was streetwise but had very little in the way of common sense or family values...
In fact, I don’t think those were even in her vocabulary. I concluded that I was going to have to put on my big-girl pants because this lady needed me to show her some good, strong, motherly love.
Remember, how we said she could only stay for a week at most? Well, days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as Sharon slowly integrated into our family. She was learning about the love of God and was experiencing miracles right in front of her eyes. Sharon lived with us for months, and all of us were changed by the transforming power of God’s love evident in her life. She became a different person during her time in our home, but sadly, a while later she turned back to her old life and got lost in darkness.
This truly left us devastated. I couldn’t believe that someone who had experienced the depth of the Father’s love like she had in the last few months could retreat to their old ways of darkness so quickly. I have learned that one of the side effects of a life of miracles and faith is disappointment. Disappointment not so much because the miracle you are believing for does not take place (although that certainly happens at times), but more often because the people who experience a bona fide act of God don’t always change.
Yet amid the disappointment that comes from taking a risk, is the joy that comes from loving people right where they are. Jesus was our greatest example of God’s love being poured out without expecting anything in return. Some of us plant, some water and others are there for the harvest. Every time we reach out toward someone in love, we are making a difference in his or her life, whether we see the fruit of it or not.
A MOTHER’S DAY ENCOURAGEMENT
I want to encourage all you mamas out there to remember that every act of love and service sown into your kids is healing hearts, laying foundations, and building a legacy we may not live to see. There is incredible purpose in every meal you make and bedtime story you read; lives are being changed, and remember the Lord is their Father watching after their every move. He is our greatest mom support; with Him, we can conquer giants and slay dragons.
Today my prayer is that the mamas out there feel the peace of the Father and joy of the Lord as you love and nurture your children. I pray you feel the subtle nudge from our heavenly Father as He whispers to you “good job.”
Blessings to all of you this Mother’s Day. I would love to hear in the comments below how a mother has impacted and shaped your life.
