Only a mother knows how it feels

DAR ES SALAAM: WELCOME to Dar-es-salaam and is the harbour of peace and the cosmopolis, where life’s lessons are free of charge. A man and his wife join the lunch hour jam as they head towards their regular lunch joint. The husband is the driver and he seems to enjoy the task.

His wife takes the opportunity to glance at the various items that vendors carry around to entice potential customers, especially ladies. Vendor after vendor try their luck, some sell some don’t. A small boy looking famished and sleepy stretches out his hand begging the lady for money to buy something to eat.

He looks straight in the lady’s eyes, mumbling something to the effect that he has not eaten for a few days. The driver husband stares straight, even though traffic is not moving. Eventually the lady gets some change from her handbag and gives the boy. The boy is elated, thankful, appreciative and happy. He asks God to bless her back a hundredfold.

Only a mother knows how it feels

Why is it easier for women to perform acts of goodwill, however small it may be, to street children? Most men try as much as they can to avoid eye contact with a street child.

And, it is not because they don’t have money, but because of theories on how the money is going to be used by the street child. It is believed that most street children will use the money to buy sniffing glue, which is an inhalant abuse with serious health consequences.

ALSO READ: Families ignore risks behind unregistered domestic workers

For many women however, and it does not matter whether the woman is the mother or not, locking eyes with a child who looks hungry and begging for a small change to buy food brings out a lot of emotions, because mothers connect emotionally with children, whether the child is theirs or not.

Even when a woman lies to a street child that she does not have money, the guilt will disturb her every day. Hence, women do such acts of goodwill often without justification for their action, because motherly instincts are in a woman whether the woman is a mother or not, educated or uneducated.

Mother-the peacemaker and comforter

Many things happen within the precincts of our homes and that is to say some challenge our moral values, some shake our faith and beliefs, some are damaging to our reputation in society and some are simply shameful. Often, mothers play the silent role of a peacemaker, often sacrificing a lot just to keep the family together.

Mother as a peacemaker

Take for example, the tension that often happens between a husband and the mother of his children when one of their young daughters becomes pregnant just as she is about to join university. The atmosphere at home becomes strained, and the parents may hold different opinions on how to handle the situation.

While the mother may empathise deeply with her daughter, feeling frustrated, hurt, and embarrassed, the father may experience disappointment and view the situation as a personal failure in his role as a parent. His ability to deal with the matter calmly may also be affected, especially because many men find it difficult to openly discuss personal and emotional issues.

On the other hand, although the mother is also hurting, she knows she has to play neutral- ensure her daughter’s well-being and at the same time understand how her husband feels. Eventually, when the daughter safely gives birth, the father may embrace his new role as a grandfather with pride, joy, and celebration. The grandchild then becomes the centre of attention, helping to restore happiness and unity within the family-thanks to the mother, the peacemaker.

Other as a comforter

A man had a child with a woman, but later decided she was not the kind of partner he wanted. He eventually met another woman who loved and accepted him, and the two got married. As the years passed, the man never made an effort to check on the child he had abandoned. However, life has a way of bringing hidden matters to light.

News eventually reached his wife that the child her husband had before their marriage was struggling after the death of his mother. Moved with compassion, she pleaded with her husband to bring the child home so she could care for him.

Despite the fact that the boy was born from another woman who once had a relationship with her husband, her motherly love overcame every barrier. Perhaps the husband had long been hesitant or ashamed to speak openly about the child, but his wife’s kindness eased his burden while also giving the boy the care he desperately needed.

God recognises the comfort and compassion of a mother when He says in Book of Isaiah 66:13, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” May all mothers discover the power and blessing found in their comfort and love.

The post Only a mother knows how it feels first appeared on Daily News.

The post Only a mother knows how it feels appeared first on Daily News.