As I created this painting with the mountainous list of words, I was in awe. In awe of how much we all carry in weight and worries. In awe of how much comfort and validation I find in knowing we all carry that same load. But, my greatest awe is in each of you. In me. In us and our ability to bear this weight and still love these children with everything we have.
The mental load is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s exhausting. Daunting. Confusing. Lonely. Frustrating. Beautiful. Joyful. Painful.
It’s everything that makes a Mother.
And not only were we given the gift of these little souls, but at the same time we were given a supernatural and divine strength to bear the weight of raising them.
And, somehow we embrace it. We manage it. And the list grows. The load grows. As our children get older, the weight gets heavier. And what do we find ourselves able to do anyway? Carry it.
That’s because we don’t carry one bit of it alone. There’s two arms around you when you feel alone. There’s a heart united with yours offering peace when you’re overstimulated. They’re grace being poured out when you feel like you can’t remember all of the things. There’s joy to be found in suffering. Quiet to be found amongst the chaos. Acceptance to be found in the exhaustion.
All of these things are given to us every single day by the Father so that we can bear the most important weight there is - Motherhood.
I am proud of you. I am proud of us. Although we don’t always carry the load perfectly, we do our best out of love. A love entrusted to us by Jesus.
Mama, you are never alone. And I hope this image proves that.
This print comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Artwork © Natalie Haydel Barker. All rights reserved.
