MOTHERHOOD: A CALLING OR A CHOICE?: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I am quick to state that motherhood does not appeal anymore. Motherhood today is considered as a curse as compared to the past which was regarded as a blessing. In the time of our grand parents or older generations every girl aspired to become a mother. Today, interrogate the little girl about what she aspires to become: "I want to become a doctor; I want to become a lawyer among the rest." What has changed? What were they told then and what are they told today? Motherhood, a calling or a choice? Motherhood no longer attracts and many ladies today would prefer to keep a boyfriend instead of aiming to marry. Motherhood is nothing worth a pursuit; academic achievements and career have been become top priorities of today girl. Worriedly I asked: "How did we all get here?" Sometime ago we all protested against homosexuality and lesbianism and we are still campaigning against such practices in our society. And I ask what is the difference? What is the difference between the one who practises homosexuality and the one who deliberately does not want to have a child? Having a child before graduating from the university or before attaining one's dreamed career is a curse. So we have all forms of abortions taking place: use of preservative, taking in of all kinds of pills. It seems we have become wiser than God? Shit! I have the impression that our elderly women are not telling us the truth? I was watching a birthday ceremony of a 106 year old woman recently on facebook and the interviewer asked her "What makes you happy at this age of yours?" She replied and said "Knowing God and my children". Wow! She might have gained some social or academic status but at that point they meant nothing to her anymore but the God and the family she devoted her life to. My own mother has never stepped into a class room and she is almost 70 years now with 7children and I believe that if same question is posed to her, her answer would not be different. Are you still thinking becoming a mother is illiterates' dream and that it will shut down your dream? Then I am sorry, you don't have a dream in the first place. Your motherhood can be a vehicle to arrive at your supposed dream. A dream after God's heart should give you peace and happiness and motherhood well lived will afford you and more. Yes, I hear many ladies say "for marriage I will marry and for children I will have them but after this academic qualifications, after this achievement, after this, after this". Listen, when you are in your late twenties and still talking like this understand that if God doesn't want you to make being a mother a priority he would not have placed an expiry date on child conception.
I hereby celebrate all mothers; you have mothered your biological child or adopted or both, or and mentored other people's children, I salute you. Congratulations and happy Mothers Day!
By Cephas Godson Aziabou
