Today, (in England) is Mothering Sunday. At church, we thanked God for babies; some babies which were born during the Pandemic, so technically toddlers, which always adds a layer of family fun to a service. And we thanked mothers for all they do, as well as those who nuture us without being mums. There was a funny and cute video from kids and adults about their mums, and all the ladies got a bar of chocolate. I was hoping it was a bar per child, but it was just the one bar each.
The video struck a chord. Us mums are emotional creatures, and a cute video can bring out all the feels, especially if it also happens to be the day when the clocks go forward, so you lose an hour's sleep. (That does seem a little unfair by the way).
It's always interesting, (and amusing at times) to hear what kids say about their mums. I think it's important for mums to stop and actually listen to what is being said about them, or mums in general. I came downstairs this morning to find a card on the kitchen side, with seven little messages (six kids and a dog) which were very sweet, but one in particular stood out, 'Thanks for being in my corner since day one'. Ah what a joy to read that one. I've also had, 'Thanks for trying' and 'thanks for being a big mum' written in cards before, so you win some, you lose some.
(I'm aware of the privillege of even getting such a card on Mother's Day, knowing that my single mum friend had no such thing today).
Mums can have a slight tendancy to feel a little unappreciated, even if they are greatly appreciated. Mums can have a slight tendancy to focus on what they haven't done, rather than what they have, or maybe even compare themselves with a different mum, or themselves as a mum a season or two ago. I personally have felt discouraged because I remember being a really fun mum of four small boys, I was physically exhausted but I would say I had a lot of intentional fun; picking them up from school with already prepared water balloons to attack them with, for example. And I sometimes can look back a little nostalgic at that time. But I was 10years younger, I only had 4, I didn't have teenagers, or a job, and there hadn't been a global pandemic; seasons do change... I think if there is something that was once enjoyed, then I can aim to intentionally bring that back, and if I'm inspired by another mum, then that has a different feel to it than comparison.
These little niggles can cause disappointment or bitterness, which can come out in a variety of ways. So it's good to keep check on them, or lovingly point them out to a mum friend if you notice any, asking them to do the same for you. Usually these kind of niggles can change with a cheesy but very true, 'Attitude of Grattitude'. What can I be thankful for today?
The people from the video answered why they loved their mums;
....she is a good example, she cares, she gives us time to talk, she makes me spaghetti and meatballs, she loves other people, she serves, she makes cakes, she tidies my room, she works hard at all she does, she's good at what she does, she makes money, she encourages, she turns negatives into positives, she helps me navigate my dreams, and my personal favourite... she's always there, giving her whole life to look after me.
We might not be nailing every area of every part of mothering. (Side note, only God the Father, is the perfect parent). And we've probably got areas of improvement, even areas to repent of. But we may well be doing ok in some areas too, maybe even soaring at times. We may be inspiring other mums, you never know. Or maybe we are communicating love to our kids, maybe we are modelling something of the Father's Heart to them, and that is worth celebrating.
What good mumming have you done this week that we should be celebrating?
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." Psalm 95v1-2
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