_{Today I'm kicking off a new guest blog series called "Out & About Guest Blog," with Karen Wolff of Christian-Books-for-Women.com. This is your opportunity to hear from someone other than me! Periodically, I will go "out and about" in the online Christian community and invite guest bloggers to share their thoughts and insights about the Christian life with you.}

Happy Mother's Day!

I like being a mom. Of course, how much I like it depends on what day you ask me. Even though my kids are both technically gone from the nest, the nest still feels pretty full these days. I'm doing as much for my kids now as I did when they were actually here in my house. How did that happen?

Moms are an amazing group. They have the capacity to balance life and all its stuff better than anyone. And talk about the capacity to love? You won't find that special kind of love in any other relationship.

Can you imagine the pain in the heart of Moses' mom when she put him in the river? How could she let him go? She must've been beside herself with grief! I know I would've been.

But every mom in the world also knows that it's not always easy to love your kids all the time. Back in the day, I mean really far back in the day, there was Eve. The first mom. Can you imagine what it was like to have to deal with Cain and Abel? Talk about sibling rivalry run amok!

And then there was Mary. Now there's a real example. I can surely relate to how she loved her Son. I mean, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my son, even though he's off living his life. Can you imagine what it was like to see Jesus going around helping people, doing everything he could do to make a difference, and then have them all turn on him?

As a mom, I simply can't wrap my head around Mary watching her Son be crucified. I don't think my heart could handle the pain. But the grace and dignity she showed through it all was something I can only hope to aspire to someday.

The Bible is filled with some amazing moms who did everything they were called to do, despite the pain. Many of them watched their kids grow up to be heroes, even though the process was incredibly painful.

I recently read a great book by Larry Richards and Judy Bodmer that really helps moms be all that they're called to be. It's called, What's in the Bible for Mothers. The front cover lists some of the great stuff inside. Here's just a sample:

• Letting Go and Letting God
• Developing Good Communication
• Meeting Your Child's Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Needs
• Working Outside the Home

This book does a great job of letting you know that you're special, blessed, and truly loved. Also, check out this review of What's in the Bible for Women, part of the same series.

On this Mother's Day, go out and enjoy your children. Who knows? You may have a hero on your hands.

_{Karen Wolff, a guest writer for About.com, is host to a Christian Web site for women. As founder of Christian-Books-for-Women.com, she wants to provide Christian women with a place to find practical information, tips, and help with a variety of issues they face every day. Check out some of her great stuff on parenting, at Karen's Christian Family Center. For more information visit Karen's Bio Page.}