Monday, July 2, 2018

On Milestones, Medals and Musings on Motherhood...

Five days ago my baby boy walked across that stage and literally, just like they said it would be—like a blink of an eye, he's graduated from high-school.

I don't think I was quite prepared for the emotions that would flood this mama-heart of mine, because I literally had to compose myself to stop a tsunami of tears from streaming down my face!

I guess there's something milestone-ish about the youngest child finishing high-school, isn't there?

It felt like one phase of life is ending.
Like the page is flipping to a new chapter.
With a bright future about to unfold.

One that is much more vast than this mama can enfold in her arms.

I guess that's why the mama-tears wanted to flow.

Where exactly has all that time gone to anyway?

Don't blink. Parents of littles, don't blink—because time waits for no one. It truly flows like a relentless river.




I am incredibly proud to be known as this amazing young man's mama. I am truly blessed beyond measure. I have recently started using the hashtag #MotherhoodIsSanctifying on my social media posts, because motherhood truly is that!

Sanctifying.

Our gracious Heavenly Father has used my motherhood journey to sanctify me. To remake me into this better version of myself.

God's grace truly is astoundingly beautiful. For someone as broken as I am to have been gifted this extraordinary young man as a son to raise is exceedingly more than I know to ask for or could ever even dare to imagine.

He walked across that stage multiple times and I beamed with so much pride and joy each time, as he shook his Principal's hand and she handed him multiple awards in recognition of his leadership, dedication and hard work...
The Lillian Evelyn Bloom Award—awarded to graduates who have demonstrated academic excellence and dedicated involvement in school activities.
The Ontario Principal's Council Award—awarded to a graduate who has demonstrated academic excellence and involvement in co-curricular and community activities.
And this one, reserved only for the top graduate—the Governor General's Academic Medal and Dunbarton Scholarship—awarded to the graduating student with the highest average in his/her senior years of high-school.
To God be the glory, great things He has done!

This Fall, this boy is headed to the University of Toronto, Canada's top university, to study Engineering Science, one of the most selective and advanced engineering programs offered in the world.

These are undoubtedly incredible achievements and his dad and I are extremely proud of this young man.

A post shared by Aimee Esparaz (@mama2greatkids) on

I am so unbelievably proud of this kid right here. He graduated top of his class today, while being recognized with two additional awards for his leadership, community involvement and academic excellence. Many will think that this comes naturally to him, without much effort. And while God has certainly gifted him with intellect, I have also witnessed Jon’s work ethic, perseverance, tenacity and dedication at work over these past four years. I have the rare vantage point to see just how hard Jon works to excel in everything he puts his mind to, and it is one of the most inspiring things in my life. Beyond achieving top grades and being crazy smart, Jon has built a world-class speedcubing career, volunteered countless hours, formed solid friendships, built his knowledge in a plethora of super interesting things, and become quite a photographer. And yet, all those things are even less important still than the ways that he has grown and bloomed into a compassionate, kind and courageous follower of Jesus. @genius4jesus - keep pursuing Jesus with your everything. Seek first His kingdom, and all these things will be added to you also. What a promise - I pray that you will always claim that in your life. I pray that you will always know and experience his deep love and extravagant grace. As you embark on the next chapter, may your solves be fast, your baskets be swishes, your studies be enriching, your compassion be expansive, and your faith be radical. I can’t wait to see what God does next in your life from this unique vantage point I am so privileged to have as your big sis. I will be here cheering you on every step of the way. I love you, Jon! πŸŽ‰πŸ’›πŸ™ŒπŸΌπŸ‘¨πŸ»‍πŸŽ“πŸŽŠ✨
A post shared by alyssa esparaz (@_godsgal4ever) on

Many have congratulated us on a parenting job well done and this is what I have to say in response: There is this quote by C.S. Lewis that has always informed and guided my motherhood journey, and it has proven to be true time and time again. It says: “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.”

You see, the goal was never medals, awards or academic achievements.

The goal was always this, and this alone—a man after God's own heart.

Of course, there is no magic parenting formula, but there are these words, from Matthew 6:33, that are strongly worth considering and taking to heart—"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

As much as this mama-heart swelled with so much pride and joy seeing how much this boy has accomplished in his young life, it overflows and bursts with even more pride and joy knowing how much he seeks for God's grace to be at work and manifested in his life.

Such as when he chooses to spend his day-off like this...


Or when he foregoes a significant Rubik's Cube competition which could improve his standings, so that he can do this instead—in order to see over 150 Compassion children released from poverty in Jesus' name...


Or when he leads and rallies together his peers, and as a result they raise almost $10,000 for UrbanPromise Toronto...


My beloved son...
My heart overflows with so much love for you. More than words can ever express.

Mothering you has truly sanctified me. Each day, I thank God for you. Because of you, I am a better human.

It has been and continues to be one of my life's greatest privileges to walk this journey as your mama.

As you boldly step into the future, may my prayer for you since the day you were born always hold true—that you will always be "a man after God's own heart, doing everything God wants you to do.

My son, your future shines bright.

Yes, it is one that is much more vast than this mama can enfold in her arms.

But it is one that will always be covered with prayers from her heart.