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Monday, September 24, 2007
As a mother of five children from toddler to teen, my days are very full. Often times I am overwhelmed with the list of things that need to be accomplished before the day even begins. If I am given the gift of awakening before one of my children, I quietly head to my place at the table with the glimmering light and my cup of warmth in great appreciation for the new day and an opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus. I open up my bible and begin reading, studying, and praying. I ask God to speak to me, to change me from within, to wash me in His word. I pray for my husband, my children, and for others who I have committed to pray for. My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness for this time. Often times I don't want it to end. But I am aware of something else. There have been many many seasons in which stopping and sitting at the feet of Jesus was NOT the first thing I did. I have had seasons in which it worked best for me to meet with my Savior later in the morning due to nursing a newborn or a baby who napped consistently at the same time. But I have also experienced seasons in which I allowed my busyness to prevent me from meeting with my Savior on a regular basis. I somehow had determined that it was "OK". I reasoned that my children were small and it would be easier when they were older. But my own experience has shown me that as my children have grown it does not become easier. Busyness doesn't go away, it just changes or looks different. So, no matter what season you are in, I encourage you to begin today sitting at the feet of Jesus and welcome each new day with great joy and anticipation. This is the Day!
Labels: Chris's Articles, Christian walk, Motherhood Leave a comment... 8 Comments Links to this post "Oh, my goodness! How many times have I told you to pick up your towel off of the floor??" My frustration shows as I grab the towel and hang it on the bathroom rack. "And, Colin? You've gotta flush!" My sigh is loud. I wouldn't want anyone to miss it. I quickly move from room to room trying desperately to create some semblance of order. The baby is actually happy in the bouncy seat for the time being. I am well aware that it will most likely be a very short time. I sort the laundry and head into each child's room. "Maddy, why haven't you put away your clothes? I asked you to do that three times earlier. You need to do something the first time I ask you! Put them away now please, neatly, and bring down your basket when you're done." I lift the baby from his seat, get a burp and feel warm stuff running down my back. After a quick check to make sure none got on the floor, I trot downstairs, barely remembering by the time I reach the bottom to wipe off my shirt. "Someone didn't clear their place from lunch!" I call upstairs to whomever is listening. Probably no one, I think to myself. I sigh again, put the baby on a blanket, and rub my temples. Why, Lord, can't they remember the things I ask? Why can't they do things the first time? I repeat myself over and over and yet I might as well be talking to the pot rack. I know how you feel, God answers. You do? Yes. Remember last week when I told you to hold your tongue? How many times have I said that to you? Oh, now you're making this about me? No fair. Or what about the times I've asked you to not be so sensitive? That's a tough one for you. You're taking the wind out of my sails now, God. I know I'm not perfect. I'm only asking you to guide them gently. Shepherd them as I do you. They will learn more by your example than your stern words. You're the perfect parent, God. Just be with me and teach me... That's all I wanted to hear. You got it. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Prov. 16:3  Come visit me at my blog home, Fruit in Season. Labels: Christine's Articles, Motherhood, Obedience, relationship with God Leave a comment... 7 Comments Links to this post Too often I find myself relating to the mother in this cute yet smelly story.
Oh, I have been the mother in this story more times than I would like to admit. I have reacted to a situation with a scream or harsh voice and caused such a stink that sometimes it takes days or weeks to rid itself. The smell of skunk is all too familiar after living in the foothills for five years. Most often my children receive the worst of my reactions when I am tired, preoccupied, or in a hurry. Yesterday afternoon I had one of those moments. I was tired. My decision to rise early had caught up with me. I was preoccupied with all that needed to happen at the same time. Dinner prepared, two kids to sporting practice, another to a musical audition, my seven year old son's one missing cleat (which I knew had been played with and worn by a two year old) and to top things off the realization that the last time we saw his brand new soccer ball was on Saturday at his brother’s football game in another town. So, here I was like the mother in this story ranting and raving through the house when suddenly I got a whiff, it wasn’t pleasant but I could smell the stink. I imagined each of my children running for cover and the stink of my words lingering with them not only for days, but weeks and even years. I stopped (this time), "Lord please help me," took a deep breath and said to myself, “what does it matter if we don’t eat dinner until later, or if someone is late, or if he wears tennis shoes to practice and honestly who cares about a silly ball which is so easily replaced. My kids are not. And would you believe that we found the lone ranger cleat, everyone made it to practice and auditions in one piece, my kids did not go hungry and Wal-mart sells soccer balls. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 In Him...Chris Please visit Chris at her personal blog Come to the table Labels: Chris's Articles, Motherhood Leave a comment... 12 Comments Links to this post I pray for you everyday, even though I don’t know who you are. I ask God to protect you, to hold you, to love you. I pray that your mom teaches you about God’s Word, how to be a loving mother, and how to cook and clean with ease. I pray that your father is a loving example of how a man should treat you. I pray that you don’t have too many trials in life but that those you do have teach you how precious God’s love for us truly is. I pray for the first time we meet to be a joyous event. I pray that you will accept me as a mother. I will open my arms to you. I begin to wonder what you look like. What color are your eyes? What color is your hair? What color is your skin? Do you smile often? Will you smile at me? I wonder what life has been like for you. Do you live in a Godly home? Do you attend a good school? What are your hobbies? I wonder how old you will be when we meet. Will you have children? Will you have a ministry? Will you like some of the same things that I do? Will God show me right away that you are her? You see, I long to see you, to talk to you, and to learn from you. I think of you daily and I remember you in my prayers. I want to know the woman whose childhood I missed but whose adulthood I will have the pleasure of sharing. I want God to bless you abundantly and show you favor. I want to know your name. Even though I don’t know who you are, God does and I want to give you one of the greatest gifts that I have. A gift that will love you, admire you, protect you, provide for you, and cherish your very being. I want to give a gift that I have treasured for years, a gift that has brought me much love, much joy, and much pride. This gift that I will give you… 
As I embark upon the journey to become a wife to a man that I love and admire so very much, it has caused me to think about the real gift his parents are giving to me. I have so much gratitude for the effort they put into raising this man and they have welcomed me and my children with open arms. I want this same thing for the women my boys will one day marry. I have made it a point to pray for these young girls on a daily basis and will continue to do so. My children are my greatest gift. I will be receiving someone’s greatest gift. Now I can somewhat imagine how God must feel while Jesus awaits His bride. After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again. For you are our pride and joy. 1Th 2:19-20
Labels: Amy's Articles, Marriage, Motherhood, Parenting, Prayer Leave a comment... 9 Comments Links to this post Remember in Proverbs 30: 19 that poetic verse about seemingly commonplace moments that are actually marvels beyond comprehension? They include: “the way of an eagle in the sky, a snake on a rock, a ship on the sea, and the way of man with a maiden.” Well, I’m adding one more to the list of bafflers: the way of a mother planning her child’s graduation open house. You've got to see (or be) a mom in this mode to believe it. One minute she can be all business, organizing food lists, decorations, music ... and then become an emotional blubbering mess in the blink of an eye. “I can’t believe my baby is all grown up!” becomes the tag line in any conversation concerning that child. For instance, Mom could be talking with the manager of the dental office who called to remind her of the child's appointment. Before she hangs up, she will somehow work in the refrain, "Yes, he'll have to switch from the pediatric dentist to our dentist because he's graduating this month, you know. I just can't believe he's all grown up!" In Indiana, a mom of a high school senior in the month of May is a force to be reckoned with—or better yet, to be avoided completely! There’s a tradition here of having an open house around graduation time that resembles a scaled-down wedding reception. The pressure and stress of this event can be overwhelming if you're not a natural “entertainer” or hostess. And this is where I am personally this week. My son is graduating high school. By the time you read this, the open house will have happened yesterday afternoon, and I am anticipating a bit of melancholic let-down Monday morning. It would be easy to poke fun at the moms who build “shrines” for their kids at this milestone, but I’ll resist, because I “get it.” I think there is an underlying, unstated reason behind the frenzy that deserves some compassion. At the heart of this circus is a mother’s process of letting go, saying goodbye, to her child. Many moms begin grieving at the beginning of the senior year, and the last month is highly emotional. In spite of a different kind of parenting that lies ahead, moms start to feel that there’s nothing productive left to do, and so they create something to do for that child. It’s like staging one last hurrah to say, “I love you. I’m proud of you—and does this make up for not doing the fundraiser in elementary school, the track meet I missed in junior high and the time I called you ‘honey’ in front of your coach?” It’s all about that deep, unconditional, heart-tourniquet kind of love that looks a little desperate during this transition. What a paradox—a mom’s goal is to guide her dependent child to independence, and yet there is an inescapable desire to hold on to him. It’s baffling—beyond comprehension—the bittersweet way of a mother with her child who’s on the threshold of independence. My son was dedicated at 3 months old. We were determined to give him the most solid spiritual background we could so that when he reached this point in life, he could take the next steps toward an ever-deepening relationship with Christ. In many ways, it’s time to let him go now—let him make many new decisions that I may or may not agree with. That is a little scary. So today, I’m clinging to scripture from comfort. I have always cherished Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Even though Mary held the Savior of the world who would inevitably become famous in some way, in that moment, he was primarily "her" son. She knew she would have to let him carve his own way once it was the proper time, but for now she could treasure the time with him and treasure the potential he embodied. I guess the sweetness of that verse moves me, but also just knowing this ambivalence I feel, pride mixed with a little grieving, is a normal part of motherhood that crosses time and culture. And John 14:1, Jesus’ comforting assurance, though so familiar, is so meaningful: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” Finally, John 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Thank you, Lord, for making me the mother of my son. May he become all that you destined him to be with a heart that is perpetually drawn to you. Give me the grace to move into this next phase of parenting and to trust you now as I did the day he was born. Your faithfulness lasts through all generations, and I am blessed with the privilege of trusting you with my precious son.  Visit my personal blog at 2nd Cup of Coffee Labels: Faith, Linda's Articles, Motherhood, trust Leave a comment... 13 Comments  Mothers are not just those women who bear children. Mothers are not just those who adopt children. Mothers are those who desire children, who love children, who care for children not their own. Mothers are the women in our lives who bend down to talk with our children and look them in the eye. Mothers are the women who bring meals to the sick and needy among us. Mothers are the women who nurture us in so many different ways, showing God's love to all of God's children. This mother's day is for all of us. All of you. Happy Mother's Day!
Photo credit Labels: Christine's Articles, Motherhood Leave a comment... 4 Comments Links to this post Last week, I was intrigued by a story on a national news broadcast. The story highlighted the multiple jobs a mother performs and the equivalent compensation she would receive as a paid professional. It is a whopping six-figure salary!  Predicated on the extensive domestic duties we perform, it is estimated a mother is entitled to a base salary of $47,179. However, when overtime is included, the annual pay skyrockets to $138,645. Mothers, on average, log an astonishing 91.7-hour workweek. We multitask not because we can but because it is necessary. We cook dinner, set the table, answer the phone, wipe our toddler’s nose, all while helping our ten-year-old with math homework. Moms are long-term thinkers. We make choices every day that often won’t bear fruit for 30 years. We are cheerleaders, boo-boo fixers, and hot chocolate makers. We are the disciplinarian, the psychologist, and our child’s spiritual watchdog. We are faithful prayer warriors. Motherhood offers no monetary compensation and rarely are we encouraged with a pat on the back for a job well done. We receive no vacation time and if we are sick, we work anyway. However, the benefits are excellent.  As mothers we are privileged to peak in on our cherubs as they sleep to glimpse perfect peace and beauty. Our heart melts from a spontaneous hug and kiss. We experience a profound pride while watching our child take their first step or score their first soccer goal and rejoice the day they are baptized. We delight in their first crush, first pimple, and first date. We pray diligently over their learners permit. We are elated over a great report card, a kind word spoken to a sibling, a crayon-colored card for our birthday and a small voice that says, “I wuv you.”  We are blessed by God to be called to this profession. Motherhood opens a window in our soul to understand God’s unconditional love. Mothering brings joy as well as heartache but most of the time we find fulfillment. We are serving the Most High by serving our children and their earthly father. There is no greater calling in the world than to raise up the next generation of Godly adults.
  Labels: Lynn's Articles, Motherhood Leave a comment... 9 Comments Links to this post
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