“I miss my mother.” This problem crops up everywhere. For most global working women and mothers, we are overwhelmed with new surroundings and we “just want Mom”. Lots of times it is not possible or cheap enough to talk to Mom, but with the miracle of e-mail, we do better than ever before.
- Try to communicate often. Stay in prayer, stay in touch.
- Do not tell your mother everything; she will worry, and usually the problem is over before she gets the news.
- When your leave your mother to go to the field, or when you come home on furlough, find a relative or friend to put aside a gift for your mother (or mother-in-law) to let her know just how much you have appreciated her. Think of all the times that she baby-sat for you while you were packing, speaking, raising support.
We need mothers; we are lonely and begin to look for “mothering substitutes”. Usually God brings older women into our lives to show us the way. And basically they show us–
- How to schedule our days
- How to use local products to make familiar recipes.
- They tell us “don’t forget to sift your flour”.
Pray and ask God for someone who is older and wiser; one who has lived successfully in the country that God has called you to. Chances are that the very friend you have chosen to speak with, and open up to, was dreadfully homesick as well. God understands, and He says to us, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother, or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29) heart. Trust Him with this desire of your heart.
And remember all the “Moms” in your life on Mother’s Day, May 12!
©2002 Thrive
View the original print magazine where this article was first published.
