This is a quote from my dear friend, Lylah, at The Simple Farm about one of her new baby goats:

This is baby Ava. Storm took her in when her own mama Karrie rejected her because of three boys and a very hard delivery. She’s become Storms. Life has it that way sometimes. Other Mothers make us theirs and nurture us and give us what I call “mom blocks.” It’s no fault of the Birth mom. Really it isn’t and to give grace is such a good heart thing to do. All moms walk with weak knees and deficits of the heart caused by pain, confusion and rejection and even abandonment. It just might look different with one mom to the next. Right? But in just the right moment God places an “other mother” in the path and she gives you building blocks and makes you hers and you belong.

This quote has found a place deep inside my heart.

I haven’t shared Riley’s birth mom’s story for many reasons.

• It isn’t my story to share – it is hers and it is Riley’s
• I want her to be covered in prayer and grace

She loves Riley so very much. She loved him so much, that it looks different for her that it does for me.

I am so thankful that God placed me, “an other mother”, in the path of sweet Riley. I am so thankful that he has a place to belong here in my arms.

A few months ago, I read a quote that said something like, “no one brings you dinner when your child is ____________”. You can fill in the blank with anything.

We are quick to take dinner to the moms of new babies or the new neighbors that moved in across the street.

But what about the moms that are picking up their kids from detention?

What about the moms that are going to counseling with their kids?

What about the moms that just got home from visiting their child in prison?

What about the mom that just adopted a seven year old? There may not be a baby, but there is change – a lot of uncomfortable and awkward change going on in that house.

What about the moms that just got home from admitting their child to a drug rehab?

It goes back to grace. It goes back to compassion.

We all are different. We all have different burdens and struggles. We all need encouragement and we all need to feel like we belong.

Look past the obvious needs around you this week. Choose to see with eyes of grace and compassion.

All moms walk with weak knees and deficits of the heart caused by pain, confusion and rejection and even abandonment. It just might look different with one mom to the next. – Lylah

Love you all,

Kate