I saved this post as a draft for a while. I knew what I wanted to say, but the words just couldn’t find their way to me. Last night at dinner with a good friend, they shared a story of their daughter and I knew what I was trying to say.

This mama watched her daughter wait with her dance team as the next scholarship winner was announced. Every girl was talented and hard working and could have been the winner. But there was only one scholarship. When the name was announced, her daughter leapt with joy! Nope, it wasn’t her name. It was a friend. Other girls were rolling their eyes, but her daughter was busy jumping up and down with absolute excitement for her friend. This. This is better than any ‘A’ on a report card or any ribbon they will ever bring home.

We have coaches and teachers for our children for almost everything – education, sports, art, music, etiquette, dance, baking, photography, and the list goes on.

Who is going to coach them on life? Life. All of those moments in between when their character is formed and their personality is shaped. All of those moments in between where the rough edges of self are worn off and becoming a decent human are pressed into their hearts.

I have a secret, dear mama. It is you.

You were chosen, hand picked, by the Creator of this universe for the children in your home. By birth, by adoption, by guardianship, by fostering… this moment has been given to you to help this child move from thinking of themselves to thinking of others in every breath.

This journey may be longer for some. Any trauma experienced will be a speed bump on this road. But that’s it – just a speed bump.

How similar or different your personality is from your child is exactly why they are with you. There is something unique and sacred about how you live and respond and create and care that breathes life into your children in a way no other mother can.

Suit up, coach. This one is a marathon. You are gonna need a lot of water and planning. There are going to be days of bumps and bruises, and there are gonna be days where everyone is cheering you on from the sidelines, wearing funny t-shirts, and giving you gatorade just to keep you going.

This is the race of your life and YOU were chosen for it. You’ve been training for it your entire life. And this is the moment to grab onto, lean in, and know that there is something that only you can give the little ones who made their way into your home.

So close your eyes, take a deep breath, and hear my cheer from the sidelines. It is kinda loud with a Texas accent. It usually starts with ‘You’ve got this… great job… go, go, go… ‘ and ends with an unnecessarily loud ‘woooo hooo!’ (Just ask Nate. He almost banned me from his football games for once yelling ‘Go Nate’ 47 times in a row as he ran a kickoff back for a touchdown).

To the mama that needs to know that your kiddo is meant for your home, even when it doesn’t look like it, you are loved and cherished.

I’ll see you at the finish line!