There are days when a mama wonders if she is teaching her children to work. At least this mama wonders that. I have an aching in my heart to teach my children they were created for more than amusement, more than the here and now, but for the eternal.
“Mommy, come and rake the yard with me.” His little grin and impish way just stole my heart in the beauty of the afternoon sun. The leaves had finally all fallen. Being at the end of the cul-de-sac with trees floating up and down the street, ultimately, they land in our yard.
I can’t say ‘no’ to him. He’s found that soft spot in my heart and I grab hold of each minute he wants to be with me. Not because he has to, but because he wants time with me – HIS Mommy!
I grab my shoes and run after him (with camera around my neck, of course) and we work together.
I’m watching him , considering his older brother. Together, they work as a team. They laugh, rake and watch the leaves fall.
The oldest, his arms changing from boy to man. I see them, growing and becoming like his Father’s. I grin and am thankful I’m witnessing this transformation. Thankful I have this reminder – right in front of me to grab hold, to remember, to soak it all in.
To survive Motherhood is not enough. The blessing of Motherhood is found in the moments we do the hard thing, place ourselves last to place them first in front of the throne of the Father
I don’t want to survive, I want to strive, push forward, be diligent and persevere for the prize! I want to soak it up, gather the memories, grow their hearts and develop relationships so deep that the lies of this world can not tear them apart.
It’s the road less traveled. It’s narrow and the gate does not open except to those who knock.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15
These thoughts, these desires they push to the front of my mind as I see so many drowning in a sea of despair that continues to say ‘it’s ok it was a bad day…just keep doing what you’re doing.’ It’s NOT ok – our children don’t need Moms sitting in a desperate position. They need to see us victorious in the Lord – pushing on and living our lives for him and Him living through us!
In the distance, I see her. The sweet one. With her strawberry curls dancing in the sun. She has my Mom’s dog. She has claimed him as hers. We don’t invite her to join in. She’s lost in thought. We see that and don’t want to disturb her.
In the beauty of the moment, raking and working with my boys, I find beauty in those serving and one sitting and soaking up the beauty of the afternoon. I soak up the moment of children enjoying work and not worrying about who is or is not. I wonder, would I have done as they are doing. Or, would I have shouted that ‘it isn’t fair she isn’t helping.’ I don’t know. I can’t go back in time and live this moment.
Their lives are different than the life I had growing up.
Me, I’m growing. I learning that these moments pass by too swiftly to just survive, to be ‘good enough’ with being a Mom lost in despair. It’s time to rise up, pick up my big girls pants (or skirt) and be the Mom I was created to be.
Join me, it’s beautiful living my life for God and allowing His son to live through me. That’s what my children need – HIM, not me….
What do your children need?
Sharing at the Better Mom Hip Homeschool Moms
Such wonderful thoughts with which to begin the week! I, too, want to teach my children to value work.
Tracey, thank you – we have to do what we want to teach, right? I am sure you work hard as a Mommy – we need to work with grace and peace… I’m working on that.
This year we really started teaching the kids the value of work…as well as helping others. They have chores some they get paid for. And we are doing lots more volunteering. They are also learning about money…saving, giving and spending. My daughter has a pet rat and is responsible for buying its food. Life lessons must start early and beI learned at home with/by parents!
Kathy, I saw the horse farm you are volunteering at. We hope to start there soon, too!
Such a great post, friend! XOXO
Meghan, Thanks! It’s bee a works in the making for a couple of months.
Great post!!
In reevaluating all of our goals for this year, one of the main ones that kept coming up was for our children to have an exceptional work ethic, and to really focus on helping them learn to make work FUN!
Love this! I love giving my kids tasks. It makes them feel important! And I love seeing the smile on their face when they accomplish something!
Beautiful post! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you, Misty