Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Steadfast Love

What Love Really Means

I'm joining Mattie and many other wonderful bloggers in writing a post about love for the month of February. Mattie will be leaving a link every day to the post on love so stop by her blog and check it out. She'll also be holding some giveaways this month.


"The love of a true mother comes nearer to being like the love of God than any other kind of love." -Joseph F. Smith


Growing up, I loved my mother (and still do, of course). My sister and I had the privilege of having a mother who stayed at home. She was there when we left for school and there when we came home. She drove us around from here to there, played games with us, and cheered us on loudly at games (and so much more!). She did so much for us. I have no doubt that while being our biggest advocate in the bleachers, she was also our biggest advocate to God. I'm sure she spent countless hours on her knees praying for us, especially as teenagers and young adults.

Sometimes I didn't get my mom. Sometimes I thought she was unfair, mean, and even stupid. I was ready to break away and find my own place in the world and she let me. I've made mistakes-big ones-but her love has never wavered. I don't think there's anything that I could do that would change that. My mom's love for me is just a glimpse of God's love for me.

I remember the moment I saw the little flicker on the ultrasound screen of my own baby. My heart grew with a love I had never experienced. As my little baby grew within me that love within my heart also grew. Then I gave birth and held my child in my arms. Every fiber within my being loved that child and would do anything to protect her. I finally understood my mom and I had a new appreciation for her and a new understanding of God. The love of a mother, like God's love, knows no limits.

My love for my children, whether on earth or in Heaven, is deep and will never fade. My children on earth will grow and make mistakes. They will test my patience and make me angry. But my love for them surpasses it all. I believe that God's love for us is much deeper than the love a mother has for her child-deeper than we can fathom. Can you grasp a love that deep? God's love is the one true love. It is steadfast and strong and cannot be broken, shaken, or changed by anything that we do. We don't deserve God's love but He gives it to us freely.

I think God took some of His own love and placed it into the heart of a mother. A love that is steadfast from the very beginning.


Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 16:34


~~~~~


I have something I'd like to give away in honor of both a mother's love and God's love. It is a sterling silver necklace with white sapphires arranged in the shape of an infinity symbol-just like the infinite love of a mother and God. I hope that whoever wears this necklace is reminded of a love that never ends.


To enter just leave a '♥' somewhere in your comment. That's it! I'll keep this giveaway open until Valentine's Day, when the winner will be announced.

31 comments:

Mary said...

I am not sure how to make a heart, Holly, but I wanted you to know I "love" your post! Being a mother has taught me so much about how God loves us!

Jus and Kat said...

♥ LOVE your post too Holly! I love that verse too, "His love endures forever." It sure does!

Mattie said...

Beautiful post Holly! A mother's love is really amazing. Even when are children aren't near our instincts are to protect, love and cherish them. Much <3 to you today and always!!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful post! Love it! <3

val said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
val said...

Lovely post! I have followed you blog for a while. Being a mom has given me so much more respect for my own mom & what she has done & continues to do for me. <3 to you & your family!

Jennifer said...

Holly this is truely an amazing post! Thank you for sharing it today! <3 you sweet mama!

michelle hs said...

♥ beautiful post & beautiful necklace!

Kara said...

Well written Holly! Beautiful! <3 and HUGS to you!

Tiffany said...

i just found your blog through mattie. i'm sorry for the loss of your precious baby girl. and thank you for hosting this giveaway and giving some love to a BLM in need. ♥

Deanna said...

So beautiful, Holly! <3 You couldn't have said it better! Just because our children aren't on earth with us, doesn't mean our love for them doesn't continue to grow. Thank you for the opportunity to win this beautiful gift! Thoughts and prayers are with you!

Mark and Valerie Olsen said...

What a beautiful post! <3 Mother love is such a beautiful gift from God! I have been following your blog for a while and pray for you and your family daily! Much love to you!

Kim @ Peace of my Heart said...

Holly, this post is beautiful! You have such a lovely ♥ - it truly shines through in the sweet and thoughtful comments you make to so many. Thank you for sharing your ♥.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

This post is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your heart.

Lisette said...

We never understand a mother's love ♥ until we become mother's. Such a beautiful post.

Alissa said...

I don't think I truly understood the love of my mother until I became a mother to my own little girl. What a beautiful post, Holly. You and your babies are such a gift to us all. ♥ you!

Amanda said...

<3 your post...I just love the scripture you chose for this post. I agree that God's love for us is amazing..I am not sure where I would be without it..

Karin said...

I ♥ this post and the necklace! I know I won't be able to fully understand some of these mother feelings until I hold my baby in my arms. I AM a mother, even though I never met my first two babies, and this one is still dancing in belly. I'm so excited to live what you write. ♥

Lori said...

This was beautiful! I have no idea of how to make a <3 in a blog comment, but wanted to let you know how precious your words were with or without the <3 !

xoxoxoxo

Shaina N said...

I just found your site by Mattie's blog. I definite ♥ your post! I'm planning on reading up on your family.

Much love to you and yours!

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

I have no idea how to make a heart, but I did love your sweet post. A mother's love is a precious thing. And, God's love so beautiful and steadfast. I'm grateful for both.

Melissa said...

What a beautiful post! <3

Natasha said...

I love your comment about the moment your saw the flicker on the ultrasound screen. I too felt this love grow inside me when I saw that little flashing flicker. It just grew and grew and grew. I always tell Aiden when I write to him that I have loved him since the moment I knew I was carrying him.

A mother's love knows no limits- this is so true!


Natasha ♥ xx ♥

Ashley said...

I <3 being a mother more than anything I have ever done!

Unknown said...

Again I read it, and again I cry.. I could have said this myself. <3

Unknown said...

oh... ♥

Hannah Rose said...

I love it! ♥

Hamblenarmywife said...

♥ Beautiful post!! I wish I had the love of my mother :( my mother gave me away at age 3 and I've only heard from her a total of ten times (if that) in my life im now 24 breaks my heart as I think of her everyday (im not even sure where she is right now) no one does....I wish she was here for me as I've needed her to be so so so many times ♥ she has two beautiful grandchildren (my kids) that shes never met!! As it breaks my heart not to have mom it makes me want to be a ten times better mom to my beautiful kids ♥

Kj111905 said...

<3 this post. I am a mother of 2 and believe with all my heart that God's love is steadfast and unchanging. It made me cry because the love we have for our children is so deep...no matter what they do we can't help but love them and advocate for them. When you think of God in this way, he becomes more personal. Thank you for sharing this.

Anonymous said...

Holly, this is beautiful!! <3 this post!!

Unknown said...

Very touching post! What an amazing mother you have :)<3

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