Today I want to look at Mother’s Day a new and fresh way. Instead of playing “Mother May I,” let’s change the words (and focus) to say, today May I Mother like this…
Moment by moment keeping the end goal in mind. I am raising adults not 6, 10, and 13-year-olds. I am raising husbands and wives, daddies and mommies, but today they are young and learning things step by step. Addition comes before subtraction which will ultimately be budgeting and bill paying. But addition is the first building block to financial management. Our interactions today are the building blocks to their own family interactions. What needs to be focused on this moment for their future moments, Mama?
Open arms, Open mind, and Open schedule. Life is busy and full, but God has given me these children for this time. There will always be bills, dirty clothes and dishes, and projects. God, thank You for the reminder that You come first, my husband comes second, and my kiddos come third and above everything else. “Mommy can I talk to you about…” trumps any show, any post, any sleep. What is your “for such a time as this” moment right now, Mama?
Teaching and training more than scolding and demanding. I am mentor, teacher, model, example, and guide. What I do, they will do (or at least consider doing). What I say, they will repeat. What I expect they will accomplish or aspire to. Who are you training these amazing humans to be, Mama?
Hugging more often than “just a minute”-ing. It’s my great honor to love these children, these images of God He’s given me as a reminder of who He is and who I am yet to become. How many times have you hugged your little people today, Mama?
Extending grace. Grace is a gift. It is not earned. Our children don’t deserve grace and mercy any more than we do, and, yet, God gives it freely. “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 In what situations have you needed to extend grace this week, Mama?
Reading and relating the Bible to and with my children. I want them to see me prioritizing God’s Word above everyone else’s words. If I read my Bible too early (or late) for them to see me reading, I want to talk about what I have read and am learning. If I talk about what I am learning and ask them about what they are learning, they will keep the conversation going naturally with others. What did you read in your Bible today and how do you need to apply what you read today, Mama?
“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1
Which of these areas of motherhood is God tugging on your heart about today?