Article November 22, 1999 Issue

A MOTHER'S JOB, A QUESTION ANSWERED

Carol K. Cummings

On the wall of my office hangs a print by Pablo Picasso. At first glance, the viewer sees a comfortable, gentle scene—a pretty young mother holding a quiet little boy. On closer inspection, the viewer sees that the mother is also holding what appears to be a little bird. And the child, ever so tenderly, is stroking the bird with his two chubby baby fists. To me this held a powerful message. And, when I focused on the bird, it was also a wonderful answer to a question I'd asked God about mothering.

One of my great delights is my discovery of the fact that God really does answer questions. Like a two-year-old who constantly bombards her parents with her need for explanations, I have lately started posing my questions to God, knowing that He will provide a satisfying answer, tailored to meet my needs of the moment. I highly recommend these question-and-answer sessions.

Back to the Picasso print. I had been earnestly asking, "What really is a mother's job?" I wanted to understand mother-love better than I did. I wanted to be a good counselor for the young people in my life who are beginning to tackle this important work of motherhood. I also wanted to do a good job of behaving in a motherly way when circumstances require it. And I longed to know something better than what I view as inadequate mothering, often evident today.

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