A Mother to All

Sometimes I wish I could be the mother of a thousand children. When I see or hear about children who are orphaned, or abused, or born to unwed teenage mothers, or homeless women, or parents addicted to drugs or alcohol or parents who don't want them, I want all of them! Well, first I want to help all their mothers have a better life, but if I can't do that, I want to adopt all those children and give them a safe, loving home where they would be valued and taught. Where they would learn to love the Savior and follow Him. Where they would have opportunities they would never dream of in their current life. It breaks my heart that I can't. I can't adopt them all. Although I might have the capacity to love them, I don't have the physical capacity.

Although this month, I've been seriously contemplating trying to adopt at least one. One that I could give a happy life to. I love my dear husband Seth for humoring me. He's always willing to listen, and open to the idea. What a man!  What a father. He's willing to provide for them, and love them too. Someday. Someday when I am feeling better and when we have the means to do it, we will bring at least one child into our home that wouldn't have gotten their naturally.

How I love children. John has opened my eyes to the wonderful blessing of being a mother, a protector and nurturer of these precious souls. I hope anyone reading this will go out of their way this week to be kind to a child, whether you're a parent or not, help them feel loved and valued. I know their Heavenly parents love them all. All of us are children of Heavenly parents.They love us. I wish everyone knew it. I hope you know it and that you'll treat God's children in the way He wants you to.

Here are some inspired messages about the importance of raising children:

Children - Neil L. Anderson
Protect the Children - Dallin H. Oaks
Children - Boyd K. Packer
Caring for the Souls of Children - Patricia P. Pinegar