Mama Bear Tender Love

Mama Bear Tender Love


I love being a mother! It’s one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. I know most men are very thankful they aren’t women and don’t have to give birth to their children, but for me it was a life changing experience to be, not only a woman, but a mother. 

I was almost 26 when our first daughter, Anna, was born at the Wycliffe Bible Translator Clinic at Yarinacocha, Peru. What a learning curve! The first three months were a delight as our newborn slept most of the night for the first three months. I thought, “This parent thing is a lot easier than people say.” However, once she started cutting teeth at 3 1/2 months, sleepless nights began… and didn’t stop until she was 3 years old. Ugh! 

She decided that she liked to sleep during the day and wake us up every two hours throughout the night. Of course, she cut her first tooth at 4 months old and more teeth followed. She continued to wake us up at night even after our second daughter, Shelly, was born and sleeping all night at 6 months old. From then on, Anna liked snuggling in our bed at night and to this day her love language is physical touch. I still enjoy her hugs.

Now that she is the mom of our three older and beautiful grandchildren living in Peru, she loves being a mom also. She has her struggles like every mom with the unique personality and gifting of each child, but doesn’t every mom? I think that is part of our God-given process into maturity and becoming who God has destined us to be as women. 

Shelly has our three youngest grandchildren, rowdy boys all under 5 years old. She has her hands full but does it valiantly. I love to watch my daughters mother their children. I see the love, firmness and tender care their willingly and freely give their children. I see their determination to do things right, train and nurture them properly. Their stamina and ability to keep enjoying their motherhood is admirable. 

As a missionary and mentor of women, especially in Latin America, I get to see the true grit and amazing character traits that most of us share. Women are tough! They put us with a lot of stuff that most of our male counterparts would run from. They are fiercely protective and at the same time loving and kind. Those are opposing attributes that I want to bring out in this series. 

My first of the series is called Tender Love. The mama grizzly is a fright to deal with and many have lost their lives to her fierceness, however she is one of the most loving mammals alive. I want this first painting to speak to women and inspire them on their journey through motherhood. 

The message of this masterpiece is: Be strong, protective and even frightening to the enemy of our homes and children, yet loving at the same time and laying down our lives for them each moment they are in our care. 

Our fulfillment as mothers doesn’t come from the applause of people, from degrees to frame on the wall of the office, or from riches that fill our bank accounts (they actually get emptied by the children). Our hearts are full of satisfaction as we see the fruit of our labor in children growing, learning, developing their gifts, and reaching their destiny. 

I believe as mothers we share a special part of God’s heart that is unconditional love and acceptance no matter how dirty our children may get or how badly they may behave, our mother’s heart keeps on beating the drumroll of Father God. Hope and faith that things will improve and that our children and grandchildren will be our crown of glory even throughout eternity.

When it’s all said and done, we have enjoyed the calling of being co-laborers with God in raising up and protecting the next generation of world changers and culture influencers. My final words of encouragement are, “Determine to keep your head above the waves and you will learn to walk on the water and dance in the rain.”

This original painting is 36x48, mixed media finished in oils, is for SALE! The colors are rich and full while the image is overflowing with meaning. I’d love to hear how it makes you feel. Please give me some feedback.

Mama Bears are Always in my prayers,

Annette 

 

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