Warriors and heroes

By JUSTIN KOLLMEYER
Pastor

Which answer does NOT belong in the category of “warriors and heroes”?

a. Football players

b. Pat Tillman

c. Mothers with young children

The Answer: a

Jim Rhome, the nationally broadcast sports-talk radio personality, said this week that far too often football players are called “warriors and heroes”, which they, of course, are neither in the true sense of the words.

As Rhome eulogized Pat Tillman, the professional football player who walked away from $3million to join the Army Rangers after 9/11 and was killed in action two weeks ago in Afghanistan, Rhome stated emphatically that Tillman should rightfully and respectfully be declared a true warrior and hero. We can all say “Amen to that!”

But there’s a third answer in the quiz above, isn’t there? As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I believe that it can be stated emphatically that “Mothers with young children” should also be declared to be true warriors and heroes! And we can all say “Amen to that!”

No job is tougher than to be the mother of young children. I believe that. NO job is tougher. Not the President of the United States nor any head of state. No job is tougher. Not the CEO of any multi-national multi-billion-dollar corporation. No job is tougher. Not jobs with hard labor nor jobs with tremendous responsibility. No job is tougher. With ALL due respect, not even our brave fighting men and women for the cause of freedom around the world. No job is tougher than to be the mother of young children. And no job is more important!

“Warriors and heroes.” That’s what you are Ð mothers of young children -- you who have given life to and now give your life for your children. Warriors and heroes. Rightfully and respectfully we declare you to be true warriors and heroes, and we honor you for your bravery, tenacity, sacrifice, and service.

Now, we dads have a privilege and a role and a responsibility in all this too, of course. But still in my experience and in my observation, I believe that you moms have made the greater sacrifice with few exceptions.

What makes your job so hard? What is there about this motherhood “thing” that draws such love and admiration and respect? What do you do that is so “warrior-like” and “heroic”?

Well, you mothers know that answer deep in your heart, and yet you almost never “use it” or “point it out” or “ask for any sympathy”. It seems to me that what makes your life so “warrior-like and heroic” is that you’re always Ð always Ð always ÐALWAYS -- “on duty”. Even our troops “rotate” and get some “R&R”.

You moms never have a full day or a full hour, and rarely a full minute, when you’re not “on the front line”, loving and caring and nurturing and curing and protecting and defending and providing and enabling and sustaining and supervising and guarding and watching and shepherding and fostering and cherishing and directing and managing and safekeeping and chaperoning Ð and praying for and with your children.

Now, as wonderful as that all is, it is exhausting and draining. No job is harder…mothers with young children…warriors and heroes!

And the extended miracle is that you moms don’t despair and decompensate Ð at least not for long. Oh, every once in awhile you’ll “throw” the kids at us dads with temporary exhaustion and despair. Every once in awhile you’ll “fall to a knee” and “give into a tear”. But the setback is only temporary. Before too long you’re re-grouped and resolved and back in the action! Mothers with young children…warriors and heroes!

So we HONOR you again on this Mother’s Day. As we honor mothers everywhere at every stage of the mothering continuum. Please know we respect you. We admire you. We acknowledge you. We hold you in the highest esteem.

May God shower His Love and Strength and Peace upon you, as we know He will.

Keep up the good work. Thank you!

And, of course, we love you!

Happy Mother’s Day…true warriors and heroes!

And we all say “Amen to that!”

Kollmeyer is Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, located on Hwy. 314 between Lowe’s and The Pavilion in Fayetteville. He invites families to BRING MOM TO CHURCH this and every Sunday to honor her and thank God for her. Services are at 8:15, 9:30 (Contemporary), and 11:00 (Pipe Organ). For more information log-on at www.popdove.com or call 770-461-3403.