Friday, August 15, 2014

Quotes on Motherhood

 
Dear Friends,

I picked up the book Mothers: a Celebration by Alexandra Stoddard a few weeks ago, and felt impressed to read it a few days back. Alexandra Stoddard is one of my favorite contemporary authors, writing about homely, family things. This book is no exception, filled with wisdom and quotes along the margin. 

It hit the spot for me, as I was in the midst of feeling that I would never catch up on the daily treadmill of laundry, dishes, mending, meals, child care, schooling, household repairs, gardening, etc. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the joy and wonder of being mothers. Truly it is the most amazing gift to be entrusted with the care and training of fellow Children of the King (which is, by the way, what the girls decided to call their singing group). 

Here are some encouraging thoughts from the book that I would like to share with you~

"The woman who creates and sustains a home, and under whose hands children grow up to be strong and pure men and women, is a creator second only to God." ~Helen Hunt Jackson

"A kiss from my mother made me a painter." ~Benjamin West


"Truth, which is important to a scholar, has to be concrete. And there is nothing more concrete than dealing with babies, burps and bottles, frogs and mud." ~Jeane J. Kirkpatrick




"The tulips is a tulips even when it is nothing but a dry and shriveled bulb. The egg is a bird. The acorn is an oak tree. . . The finished work does not require a great will to make it, but the willingness to let it unfold." ~Eric Butterworth




"One of the greatest gifts a mother can give to her child is a peaceful, serene atmosphere at home, and that includes enjoying each others' company quietly, between some motherly fussing about." ~Alexandra Stoddard


"The first, the most fundamental right of childhood is the right to be loved. The child comes into the world alone, defenseless, without resource. Only love can stand between his infant helplessness and the savagery of a harsh world." ~Paul Hanly Furfey



"Being a mother fills our soul with the gift of the transcendent. We're given an inflow of spiritual energy because our soul is attached so solidly to the soul of our child. William James assures us, 'There is actually and literally more life in our total soul than we are at any time aware of.' A mother is a caregiver, a love giver, tenderly nurturing this precious soul of her child. The family rituals we share weave a spiritual net that supports our children. It gives them faith, hope, and love of life." ~Alexandra Stoddard


May you have a blessed day today, dear friends, finding joy in all that you do, wherever you are. Know that our Heavenly Father's grace is sufficient to cover the gravest sin, and to give strength where we feel we have none.

Love,

Marqueta

6 comments:

  1. Hi Dearest Marqueta,
    This is such a DEAR posting!! Sweet pictures
    and the loveliest of quotes!!
    Many Blessings love and heart felt hugs, Linnie

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  2. Motherhood, my greatest blessing, next to my salvation. A most beautiful post today, I too have read some of Alexandra Stoddard books......they were wonderful. Blessings on your Birdsong Cottage my friend

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  3. What a beautiful children you have ,
    and your photographs of them are superb.
    I alway enjoy a good quote.
    I happened to be at the Butt'ry and Book'ry blog
    and found you there if you are wondering how I got here :)
    Blessings ,
    Willow from the farm

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  4. I appreciate these quotations at Birdsong Cottage today. I have a pen and pencil out. I will soon be giving a Sunday School class at church on motherhood and child training and I hope to pass along some inspiring quotes to the mothers who attend. I'm a bit nervous. It will me a mixed group of mothers - few if any home teach anymore. But I'm also excited. Perhaps my presentation of ideas will make a difference in the hearts and minds of some in the body of Christ.
    Your blog is beautiful.

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  5. This is such a beautiful post!
    x

    ReplyDelete

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