Invisible Red Thread

There is an ancient Chinese belief which states that when a child is born an invisible red thread connect that child's soul to all those people - present and in the future - who will play a part in that child's life. As each birthday passes, those threads shorten and tighten, bringing closer those people who are fated to be together.

On this Mother's Day, I reflect on this belief... and the invisible red thread in my own life, and all of the people it has connected me to, and how they have helped shape me into the person I am today. And today, I think of the mothers it has connected me to. Of course, the first thought goes to those immediately closest.. the ones I was knit to from the beginning. My own mom, probably never realized that by letting me take in every homeless and sick animal and care for it, that allowing those things in me to be nurtured and grow would lead me to have a desire to care for , and bring into my home and family, those who do not have families of their own. In, having such an open door in our home growing up and many “Adopted kids” that I would learn to define family not only by blood. My own grandmother, who I watched walk up and down the streets of Detroit, bringing special treats to all the kids and families regardless of race or religion, showed me in such a simple way how to be Christ to the world. My other grandmother, whose selfless devotion to her husband shows how love is so often shown in the doing.... So many examples like these in those within our own family, some in simple ways, some profound.

I then think of the invisible red thread, weaving through every person and circumstance. Every mother God intended me to see, that I might glean something from her and grow, even if only from seeing her for a few moments. The mother patiently caring for her children, the mother who carried her sick son on oxygen to see the Easter bunny and rejoiced in his having that moment regardless of the hardship on her, the mother striving to teach her children to pray and learn right from wrong, the mother who sets aside her work and takes her kids to the park so that they can enjoy the day though it means sleepless hours for her, the mothers who's blogs I happened upon, or maybe just photos I have seen.... each encounter, when taken it, helps shape me as a mother and grow into whom God intended me to be.

I then think of the mothers that I have been knit so close to, that many would never have guessed on the day I was born. I am forever knit to a beautiful woman in Guatemala. I may never meet her, I may never see her face to face, but I love her. How could I not love her? I love what came from her, what was created within her. In my daughter Isabel, in so many ways I see this invisible red thread tied so tight between me and her birthmother. We may never know each other, but we work together in the way God planned. The day Isabel was handed to me there were so many things a part of her, that I did not give her. Her amazing smile with a little dimple, her compassionate heart, her gifts for art and so much more. I am so blessed to get to help her grow with the gifts that were given to her when she was created, but a part of them will always be her birthmother's. A part of her always will be hers. And that does not mean I don't love her completely...I ABSOLUTELY do. But I don't see how I could possibly say that I love her, and not love the person who brought her into the world?  :) This woman has a love that I would like to believe I would have … She has a faith I would like to believe I would have... and I have learned so much from her “yes”... though she may never know. I pray God has given her some peace in her heart. I pray that when she sees an 8 year old girl and wonders how the little girl she brought into the world is, that she knows somehow that that little girl, that she placed in the hands of a lawyer trusting she would find a family to love her is happy, healthy and loved so very much. I am also forever knit to the woman who selflessly brought Isabel to her family for almost a year, caring for her until we could bring her home. Offering love, offering to have her heart broken, all for the love of a child.

And of course I think of the birthmother I am already knit to, though I do not know who it is yet... and the similar connection that is being formed...

I look at my beautiful children, and imagine what God has in store for all of them. He has blessed me so with each and every one of them, and I can only imagine the beautiful tapestry that will be weaved with each and every one of their lives.

God Bless all of you, as you all play such an important role in my life. And today especially, God bless all Mothers... and special prayers to our Mother in heaven. And I am so thankful He has chosen to make me a mom, and that He has blessed me with being tied to so many amazing mothers in my life, that I may learn from them and grow into the mother He intends me to be.