I'm a Mom

Have you ever, like me, been totally and completely embarrassed by your kids? At the mall one day, my child, three years old at the time, asked in the grandest stage whisper, "Mommy, why is that man buying lady clothes?" Sure,  it might have been a sweet husband shopping for his wife, but NO! This was one of those moments when I wanted to drop to the floor, crawl under the clothes rack and hide, with my hand firmly clamped over my sweet baby's mouth. That was a lady shopping, but I sure could understand my child's confusion.

How about the other side of it? Have you ever been so proud you wanted to shout to the world, "I'm that kid's mom?" When people tell me how wonderful my kids are, I can get pretty puffed up... after all, it is my amazing parenting that got them to where they are, right?

WRONG!

My kids' achievements aren't mine, though I sometimes act that way. My kids are themselves. The psalmist wrote "for you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb... All the days ordained for me were written yin Your book before one of them came to be." (Ps. 139:13, 16 NIV) God created my kids. He put them together to be exactly who He wants them to be. Each hair on their heads. Their freckles. Their talents. Their temperaments.

I adore my kids, and sometimes, I am too proud. Deep in my heart, though, I am thankful. I hope that shows from time to time -- and more as time goes on.

I am thankful that God bestowed on Nathan a beautiful gift to play piano AND a comfortableness in himself that few possess. He's not prideful, simply secure in who he is. He's always been that way - not concerned about what others think, instead living his life and choosing to love it. I can't imagine him with the gift of music without the gift of confidence in the presence of others. Nathan was created for people, and his special talents are a blessing to us all. As the psalmist proclaims, let's extol the Lord in music and song.

I am thankful that God created Ben to love justice AND mercy. Justice alone has a hard edge, legalism is not love. Yet, tempered with mercy, justice is a precious gift. Softened by love in mercy, it provides security and stability. Ben somehow carries a deep passion for both for the sake of others. He's the guy who will go to bat for the underdog every single time. Those who don't really know Ben, he's a behind the scenes kind of guy, have no idea how sincere a friend he is. Proverbs 21:21 says, 'He who pursues justice and love, finds life, prosperity and honor.'

I am thankful for Ellie, our bundle of energy and love. She has never met a stranger AND somehow remembers names, places, and details about the people around her. She loves everything, but especially people, with intensity. She craves life! Every comment ever made about Ellie reflects her joy in living! She reminds us all that life is a precious gift. Jesus instructed the people of his time to become like little children. Ellie lives in that pure love and joy -- to her, every person is perfect and precious. There is no judgment, no record of wrongs. There is simply love.

God has lent me three beautiful children to nurture, love and adore. He has entrusted me with the responsibility of raising them - first, to love Him. Second, to love others. I am humbled that He thinks I'm mom-enough to do it.