Mothers' Love

This is the story of three friends who lived in a beautiful kingdom not of this world. In this heavenly realm were glorious gardens of fragrant flowers, strong trees and singing brooks. There were many children who spent their days running and playing together in the garden. The Keeper of The Garden, also known as Father, knew all of his children who lived there. On day he came to the three friends while they were playing happily together. He called each of them by name and summoned them to Him. He told them the time had come for two of them to make their adventurous journey into a new world. "Oh, how exciting!" they exclaimed. This was an event they had anticipated for some time. They longed for the opportunity to enter this new world the same way many of the other children had done previously. There was rejoicing all around.

Their minds flooded with thoughts of what the new world would be like. Father explained many things to them and expressed his deep desire for them to return to live with Him again. All they had to do was remember Him and follow his plan and the time would come for them to return again. Suddenly, they all quieted as they had the same thought (these friends were so close they often talked that way.) Father understood and was quick to reassure them that the one left behind would soon follow. This made the three friends very happy. Sharing their joy the Keeper continued saying, "I have truly wonderful news. One of you who goes before will have the honor of being a mother to the one who comes later." "Who shall it be?" the friends asked excitedly. The Keeper smiled and said gently, "As you have become such good friends here, that is for you to decide." The first two looked at each other sharing thoughts. Turning to the friend, they said together "The choice must be yours." After thinking for a very long time the child-to-be stated, "I could not possibly choose between you, I love you both so much. Please, you must decide for me." Now this was a difficult task, for they each dearly wanted the honor and yet, they were such good friends and sisters they wanted the other to have this joy. Unselfishly, they each volunteered the other.

Because the friends reached no decision, it came before Father. Thinking deeply, He looked into their hearts - he found such love there. "I have a plan," he said at last in His calm, quiet voice. All eyes focused expectantly on him. "How would you like to share in this great and noble thing?" There were gasps of surprise. All three faces came alight with sudden joy. "Can this be? How is it possible?" they rushed to ask. He looked at each of them intently and said, "It will require great sacrifice and unselfishness from you both." They looked at each other. These two good friends needed no words. Slowly, they began to smile and nod together. "Tell us more", they asked as one.

He took the three children in his arms and explained that one of them would have the honor of creating a body for their dear friend. The other would have the charge to care for the child during its life. "You must share the child after its birth. This will require a most unselfish love." There was silence for a time. Then, the first mother stepped forward, "I will do this," she said with quiet dignity. The Father lovingly took her hand in His and warned, "I want you to understand that this experience will be very difficult. You will need to be courageous and selfless. It will require sacrifices. There will be pain and discomfort. You will devote nearly a year of your life to this purpose. To bring this life to light means going to the very brink of mortality. Yet, you shall have the honor of giving life in partnership with the Creator who is the source of all life. You will know what it is to feel the stirrings of that life within you. Finally, you shall feel joy as you are privileged to share the gift of life." The sister looked deep into the eyes of her two friends. A feeling of peace swept over her as she said, "Father, I would be honored to play this role."

Turning to the other mother he quietly said, "Before you agree to your part, I must warn you that your heart and body will ache to know these things. Your sister friend will be the one to sing to the unborn child and feel it move. In those months before its birth, the child will know only her love, only her touch. It cannot be if you truly wish to share your sister friend. It will be your responsibility to nurture and love this child as your own as if you had experienced all of the things your sister friend will." The Master Planner watched as she bowed her head in thought. He smiled and continued, "Yours shall be the privilege of watching this child grow, of holding the child in your arms. You will have the joy of this child throughout your life journey. Do not forget it will require great sacrifice and devotion throughout your entire journey. You shall also have the duty to teach this child. Can you promise this?" The second mother's tear-filled, hopeful gaze sought that of the first and with a voice firm with conviction, she answered, "I will."

The Master Planner turned to the last of the trio who was smiling broadly and asked, "You are pleased?" The child nodded happily and three friends embraced. They began to laugh together and make plans. After a few moments the third friend turned and ran back into the loving arms of Father. "Thank you, thank you for this wonderful solution." The other two friends quickly joined the circle. Father acknowledged their thanks with a nod of this head. Then He drew the third child close and said, "There is on thing you must do for me." With no thought of hesitation the child responded, "Of course! What is it?" He leaned close to the child and whispered earnestly, "You must always remember and never forget the love of both your mothers."

-Author Unkown