Blessed, I am! Yet, I know I am not alone in my struggle to enjoy every moment of motherhood. I love my boys, but sometimes I feel like I’m going to go crazy. You know what I’m talkin’ about.
A couple of weeks ago my boys were having at it. After much prayer I read through I Corinthians 13 with them, inserting their name wherever is was written “Love.” Then they spent an entire day wearing gloves – doing school with gloves, eating with gloves, and learning to consciously think about using their hands for things better than wailing on their brother! (We all had to admit it was comical when they were trying to eat their lunch with big hands. And thankfully they haven’t hit each other since).
Then on Sunday morning, one boy was such a grouch. I reminded him (and me, again) that Satan is extra busy on Sundays, trying to upset people and families. “We love you!” Eventually, on the way to church, he decided to put on a smile and treat us with kindness. (I was thankful for the quick resolution. I realize that this will not always be true here and that presently you might be enduring a long-term rebellion in your home. Hugs!)
Then there are times like last night, when one knocked on my door sounding like a barking seal, “Mom! I can’t breathe!” I rushed him into the bathroom and turned on the steaming hot shower. I held him, sang to him, attempting to calm him down. Of course I was concerned and completely thankful that he woke me up to help him!
In the dark, quiet hours, I got to thinking about how Jesus cares about His children. About me. Then I began to wonder, what kind of child am I to God?
Basically, what endears us to children is their childlikeness. The things they do that irritate us, threatening our sanity, is childishness. (How many times a week do I remind myself to be patient – that they are just 8 and 6 and are in process. Phil. 1:6!)
Dictionary.com defines them this way (followed by my lists):
My short list:
Childlikeness: like a child, as in innocence, frankness, etc.; befitting a child: childlike trust.
Truth: I am extremely prone to childishness, many times every day! And to go even deeper, recently one of my precious children asked me, “Mom, when are you going to be happy?” GULP. I am thankful for my children’s insights – so convicting! With the health challenges I’ve faced the past several months, I have struggled with joy. Even when I am making myself smile, somehow my children know when it is forced. God, help me! A verse in Proverbs has been buzzing in my brain this week …
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NASB
God’s Living Word …
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:1-6 NASB
“When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:11-13
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
Women on God's Mission 