Balancing Act

I have noticed that there is a central theme in most of my writing. My kids. I love to think about, write about, sing to and about, clean up after, tell stories about, you get the idea - my kids.
It has been my life's highest calling to raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ha! Admonition. Look it up - now there's the perfect word to describe parenting.
I guess it's easier to hide behind your children. To let your every motivation and purpose be defined as "what's best for them." No one would ever chide a parent for doing things that were for the ultimate benefit of their children. It has been my way of not really letting people know what's inside me. I talk about my kids.
They define me.
I have struggled with this very concept.
My life has been tailored to fit their every need. I have sacrificed to see their needs met above mine. To the extent that I have neglected my very personal need for fruitful friendships. Ones that, in order to bear fruit, must be nurtured consistently. Motherhood is a profession that lends itself to a lack of consistency. The only constant in motherhood is the fact that you are always adapting to meet your children's changing needs.
It is the ultimate balancing act.
I have NEVER suffered though. I have found myself craving our little conversations. Personally benefiting from the unexpected wisdom of their simple words.
The things I have forgotten to think about in ages are the things their curiosity arouses in me. Not the dreaded questions like, "Where do babies come from?" But ones like, "Can we send God a Father's Day card too?" and the best answer I could muster was a broken, but very proud, "Son, I think you just did."
These are the little reminders that, in every conversation, parts of a mother's heart are revealed through their children...