“I NEED MOMMY,” I hear my toddler scream in the wee hours of the morning. “I need Mommy, I need Mommy!” While I’m never thrilled to wake from a dead sleep to hear her screaming for me (why can’t she ask for Dad before 5am?), a part of me delights in being needed by this precious little soul. I try to focus on the joy of these fleeting moments as I shuffle into her room to scoop her up out of bed.
I hear these words many, many times throughout the day. If she wants a snuggle, she climbs into my lap with the words, “I need you, Mommy.” When she wants assistance washing her hands, she tells me, “I need help, Mommy.” Whenever she’s in need of extra care, attention, love, or help, my little girl knows where to go. She’s also quite persistent and extremely loud, which gets her the help she needs without delay.
Every loving mother would jump through hoops and move mountains to meet their child’s needs and ensure that they are loved and well cared for. And we have the most loving Mother of them all – the one and only Mother of God who hears our pleas and loves us with a mother’s heart.
The Blessed Mother wants to help us. She wants what is best for us, and she desires that we draw closer to her Son. I think Jesus chose to share His mother with us because He knows how much we need a mother’s love. Even if our earthly mother is no longer with us or has failed to provide the love that we needed, Mary will never let us down.
And here’s an important thing to know about moms: we know what our children need even before they do. Even if they ask for one thing, there are times when we know that what they really need is something different. The same is true of the Mother of God.
I admit that in some ways, I need to be more like my toddler. She trusts completely that I will take care of her. She relies entirely on my love and kindness. She’s not afraid to speak up when she needs help, and she is absolutely persistent in asking for what she wants.
Do you approach your Mother with the same disposition? It’s only human that life leaves us a little jaded and less able to trust without fear. So many of us end up relying on our own efforts rather than leaning on the heavenly parents who know us better than we know ourselves. But it’s that childlike reliance and dependence that we should strive to imitate – a complete surrender to our loving Father.
Christ Himself tells us, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
I challenge you to give more of your heart to Christ and His Mother. Channel the innocence and trust of a child when you go to them with your requests. Have confidence that the Blessed Mother will plead for your needs before the throne of her Son, and that He knows the desires of your heart and gives you exactly what you need.
I believe that a wonderful way to practice this childlike dependence is with the Memorare prayer. This beloved prayer is an acknowledgment that we need our Mother and we have confidence in her intercession before the throne of God. Next time you pray it, I hope your heart overflows with the trust and reliance that says, “I need you, Mommy. I trust in your intercession. I want you to lead me to your Son.”
This week is our Give Hope Pledge Drive, and today only, Monday, August 17th, we have a special premium for anyone who makes a $25/month gift to support the work of Relevant Radio. Our Monday-only premium is a beautiful Memorare Ceramic Prayer Display – a daily reminder to bring your intentions to the loving care of the Blessed Mother. This 5.5 inch ceramic prayer display is embossed with the words of the Memorare, inspiring you to pray at any moment of the day.
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