Mother's Heart

From the first time a little one says “Mama” our little ones turn to us for comfort, guidance, protection, and love. Whether they need a hug, a cuddle, or a stern word from us, we are there to provide for their needs. It is always a challenge to know when to comfort and when to scold.

When our children are very young it is our job to teach them right from wrong, protect them, comfort them, and set limits when necessary. As our kids grow and enter school, it is more difficult to protect them from the outside world. Others are influencing their lives daily. Sometimes they come home discouraged or unhappy with how their day unfolded. Moms have to discern what happened without actually being there when it happened.

Cam broke his arm in 3rd grade on the pull up bars. The teacher was angry with him because she told him to get down just before he fell. In her mind, he had gone right back to doing what she had told him not to as soon as her back was turned. Needless to say, she did not have much sympathy for his pain and was pretty gruff with him. When I talked to Cam he had a totally different view of what happened and was devastated that she treated him harshly. His thought was that she told him not to go on one bar, so he went on another one on the other side. In his young mind, he truly believed that he had obeyed her.

I was not there. I believed my son. My stand with the teacher was that even if he had disobeyed she should be unhappy for his actions but empathetic to his pain. Tough stuff!

As our kids grow into teens and adults we have even less control of the world’s influence on them. They are bombarded with peers who may or may not have the same values, media that definitely does not have the same values, and some adults who may not want what is best for them.

As I am writing this, one of my sons is sitting in jail. It is Super Bowl Sunday, and he is paying a consequence for a bad choice he made Friday night. While others are home watching the game my son is paying his dues for his poor decision. Tomorrow he will be arraigned, and his Dad and I will be sitting there to support him, but we will not be protecting him from his consequences. Tough stuff! I know he is sorry, but he must still face a judge and explain his actions. Stupid actions!
When our children are young we need to be on our knees praying together, as a couple, for them. When our kids enter school we need to be on our knees praying together, as a couple, for them. When our kids turn into teens and eventually leave our homes, we need to stay on our knees praying together, as a couple, for them. Praying for our children, as a couple, helps us to keep God at the center of our parenting and keeps us united in parenting our children. Ron and I have not always been faithful about this, but that is the past. I thank God, that on this Super Bowl Sunday, we are coming together before Him, united, as a couple, for our son.

We cannot always comfort, guide, or protect our children. What we can always do is love them no matter what and pray for them always. Trusting God with their futures, as well as their present.

In Him,
Joyful
2-8-2010