Angelina Jolie. Jessica Alba. Jodie Foster. Jennifer Lopez. In addition to talent and cash, what do these Hollywood superstars have in common? Babies. The newest trend among the stars is to become a momma.
Bob WeathersBut how did these ladies determine that the time had come for children? Why are they suddenly ready to be mothers?
Not long ago, actress Halle Berry answered that question for herself, though certainly her answer would not apply to every star. Following a high-risk pregnancy, Berry gave birth to a healthy girl in March (no marriage commitment, of course). About a year earlier, she had appeared on “Oprah” and bubbled about motherhood to America’s favorite guru. She explained that while portraying a mother in the film “Things We Lost In the Fire,” she became convinced that motherhood was for her. She said the role “validated that I was meant to be a mother, because every day I dealt with the character as a mother and thinking as a mother. It let me know that I must be a mother.”
Berry was probably reflecting on her health concerns. Even so, surely she understands the difference between a scripted performance as a mother and the real-life experience of being a mom? Playing a movie mother can no more qualify her to be a mom that playing Catwoman qualified her to be a cat.
Why? Because parenthood is unscripted. It is wildly spontaneous and unpredictable. It is personalities clashing and life intruding and love enduring and learning as we go. And it is God at work, using his greatest resource – a loving mom – to produce his greatest work – a human being. Real motherhood may not be as glamorous as the movie version. And the salary – well, never mind. But the perks! The rare, inexplicable moments of privilege. Like when the child walks for the first time. The child smiles and waves and goes to school. The child sings songs about Jesus. The child accepts Christ. The child grows up.
It’s not easy. But the real deal never is. If you want easy, play-act at motherhood. But if you want all the perks and privileges that go with parenting, take the unscripted version.
And for doing all that, with your unscripted love and God-given talent, we say, “Thanks, Mom.”