The grandparents offered to keep our daughters this morning and I was so excited for a rare brunch date with a dear friend! I just received the dreaded text: Her daughter woke up with a fever and she had to cancel our time together.
I had two instant thoughts:
- Mom Life
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
Even though the first thought sounds negative with a possible martyrdom viewpoint, God redeemed that thought in an instant. Instead of feeling sorry for her and all the other moms who have to cancel plans to care for sick kiddos, I realized the gift God gives children through motherhood. It is a divine gift for children to experience warmth and tender care from an adult, especially on days they are weakest and most vulnerable with sickness. As a mama, I was reminded: Motherhood is a worthy and holy calling! We get to do this!!!
This Scripture was top of mind because our weekend plans had recently been canceled when another sweet friend texted that one of her four boys had come down with the flu. They live out of state, so time together is exceptionally precious. In the past few years, we have been on a streak where plans have been canceled 50% of the time due to the flu, then COVID, then COVID again, then the flu. She wrote, “I literally don’t know what to say. We have not had the flu (COVID yes but flu no) since the last time it ruined our plans.” While reading her text, these verses came to mind:
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 (NIV)
But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
We have an enemy who wants to kill, steal, and destroy us and our relationships. But take heart,
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4 KJV)
My story makes me wonder about you: How are your relationships going? Do you have friends you have been able to gather with recently, to sharpen each other, build one another up, and relish in laughter together? How are your relationships with each of your children? Do you feel connected and close or distant and lonely? How do you think they would answer the same question about their relationship with you?
As Sandra Stanley reminded us in Parenting for the Relationship, our kids don’t have the same relationship with us that we have with them. Finally, if you are married, how unified do you and your spouse feel about your current phase of parenting?
I want to encourage you in parenting today! Would you like to process some parenting topics with your spouse? I am including a list of ten questions to check in on parenting at the end of this post, if you are subscribed to our email list.
I hope these questions equip us to practice what we have learned from the aforementioned thoughts. God delights in our action and He models practical application throughout the Bible, such as the straightforward instructions from James 1:22 (NIV):
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
God is clear. Learning something isn’t complete after simply listening . . . we are invited to “do” in order to more fully understand and experience all He calls us to.
If God has placed you in a season of parenting, make sure you join our email list to receive these ten questions to check in on parenting!
Much love,
Laura