Thursday

Mama Monday: The 1 Corinthians 13 Mom

Last Friday I had a strange thing happen to me. I was with the Tree Dwellers, all three of them, in Walmart. We had just picked Chipette up from her homeschool group, and needed to make a quick stop before driving home. I was in the Christmas clearance section because I always purchase my Christmas cards for next year, the year before. (What can I say? I'm cheap.)

I'm assuming all Wal-Marts are the same because our Christmas section is always in the Garden Center. So we are leaving the Garden Center/Christmas clearance, and Chipette spots a hummingbird feeder. We have been studying birds for science this year. We have two bird feeders and a makeshift bird bath, but no hummingbird feeders. Chipette immediately hits me up for one. I tell her that we will buy the cheap one (told you I'm cheap!) and hang it on the back porch.

A woman about my mother's age was standing nearby and overheard our conversation, I guess, because she turns to me and says, "You're a good mommy. I can tell you really love your children." Of course, I told her that I did and thanked her for noticing. It's always nice when someone notices that you are doing the best you can to love your children and be a good mom.

(I'm just really glad that she didn't follow us to our next stop, the toy aisle where Magpie lost it because she wanted a pink Paper Jamz microphone like her sister was getting. I reminded Magpie that I'd asked her at Christmas if she wanted to exchange her black Paper Jamz microphone and she had said no, but Chipette had wanted to. I couldn't get her a new Paper Jamz microphone because she had already taken it out of the package and played with it. More crying, threatening from me, whimpering and a pouty look, swift pop on the leg...like I said, I'm glad she didn't follow me!)

Anyway, I was thinking later about what the lady said and it reminded me of a verse in Titus 2:4 where older women are instructed to teach younger women how to "love their husbands and children." I get the loving your husband because sometimes that doesn't come naturally, but loving your children? Isn't that just what a mother does? And then I thought about God's definition of love and realized that I fall so very very short in the loving my children department.

My version of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 for moms:

As a mother, I am patient and kind.
I do not envy other people's children and their lack of problems, and I do not boast about my own children.
I am not arrogant with my kids, but show them that I am human and make mistakes.
I am not rude to my children. I do not always insist on my own way when I with them, but let them give input when it is appropriate.
I am not irritable with their demands or requests. I do not resent the limitations they put on what I want to do.
I am not pleased with them when they act contrary to God's standard, but I rejoice when they choose God's way instead of the world's way.
I choose to bear all of their problems because I am their mother.
I choose to believe that my children can achieve anything.
I choose to hope that they will become Christians and love the Lord.
I choose to endure anything that the future may throw at us because my love as their mother will never end.


Thankful in the treehouse for all the good moms out there who really love their children,

Chelli

1 comment:

  1. Always need that mom-encouragement! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete