Becoming a parent was one of the most life-changing experiences I have ever been through, and it continues to be a learn-as-you-go process for me. Parenthood continues to stretch me, refine me, and inspire me to be a better human being for the little people who mimic my every move. When I became a parent I found myself suddenly thrown into the responsibility for another life, and it was overwhelming to say the least.
As a new parent I suddenly discovered that the decisions I made had an impact, be it negative or positive, on someone else. No longer did my poor decisions only hurt me. And so began my journey as a worried mother.
When my first daughter came I worried about what she ate. Was I making enough milk to sustain her? I worried about everything from the brand of diapers we purchased to the possible adverse reactions of immunizations. I worried if she was sleeping enough or sleeping too much. I worried about sniffles, gas, and teething.
And even though it gets easier as you go, the deep concern over making the best decisions for your child never stops.
Too much television? Not enough story time?
Public school, private school, homeschool?
And what about stranger-danger, kidnapping, pedophiles?
You have to teach your children right from wrong, how to be safe, how to look both ways when crossing the street. They have to know not to go places with people they don’t know, and that the words they speak can hurt other people’s feelings.
You teach your children The Golden Rule, how to share their toys, and to wash their hands before they eat. They are taught vegetables are good for you, and that it’s important to brush your teeth twice a day.
You give them chores to teach responsibility, but try to balance work with fun. Basically, as a mom you strive to get everything right; which never happens.
Parenthood is a lot like being a teacher, a guidance counselor, and a role model all rolled into one. And you never get a day off. The level of responsibility doesn’t pass you by, and if you’re a good parent you take the job pretty darn seriously. I know I do.
In fact, each morning and every night I pray for my children, and I ask God so many things for those precious babies. Naturally, I pray for protection and health, and I also remember to thank God for the gift of their lives. I pray that I am a good mom, and that He would lead me in that direction.
This morning was no different, but as I spoke to Jesus about my tiny charges I realized the most important thing I must impart to them. There’s so much, really, but this one thing seemed of the utmost to me. This one thing I knew I must do for my kids.
Lord, let them see you in me.
Children arrive like a clean slate. They are born innocent, pure, without hatred or the evil influences that come from living in this world. Everything they learn is given to them, and what better present can I provide than a proper representation of Christ’s love?
As a Christian mother it is my responsibility to show them Jesus, and the absolute best way I can do that is through my words, my actions, and my example. When they look at me I want them to see as much of the Lord as they possibly can. I desire my life to be a worthy representative of God’s love.
Honestly, I fall short of this often. Like, every single day. But despite my present failures, my overall goal since their births has always been to give them the best I possibly can. Nothing is more precious than providing them with a foundation on Christ set forth via my life. My goal is for them to see Him in me. That is my prayer.
As my children grow older this becomes even more important. They’re watching. The words I speak, the way I treat the strangers we encounter, the influences I allow within our home; it all matters. I am helping form the future, and the women my girls will become rests heavily on what behavior I model for them.
My job as a mother is no small task, and the number of things I will teach my babies is huge. But none is more important than this.
Let them see you in me, Lord. Let them see you in me.