"Mom, you do a lot for us, but you don't do a lot with us." His words stung, and at first I was offended. I am a stay-at-home mom, after all. I'm with them all the time.
I reminded him that I cook his meals, drive him to school, do his laundry and help him with his homework everyday. He looked at me squarely and said, "Yeah, that's all stuff FOR us. But you never just come outside and play WITH us."
I immediately objected and said, "Well, what would happen if the meals weren't cooked? And the laundry wasn't done?"
He countered, with wisdom beyond his years. "I don't know, but what will happen if you're never with us?"
I thought about that for a minute, and then God brought to mind the message of Christmas. Immanuel. God with us.
God does a lot for us. He provides. He helps. He answers prayers. But without sending Jesus to show us Himself up close and personal, He is nothing more that a distant father who sends a check at Christmas but has no real relationship with his child.
It's the relationship that matters most. That's why the "With US" is so significant.
So, thank you, Lord, that you are a "With Us" kind of God, and grant me the grace to be a "With Us" kind of mom.
7 comments:
OUUUUCHHHHH! I have been quietly pondering this very thing all morning. Mine haven't said it in words...just in their eyes. Thank you L and thank you, Holy Spirit. I gotcha loud and clear! I am gonna link over here...
Over from Jennifer's blog - what a beautifully relevant and thought-provoking post. I am so often guilty of this very thing...thank you for posting this. :)
Hey Lindsey....thanks for the reminder. I need to preach the beautiful Gospel to myself everyday - and that means in how I spend my time with my children. Miss ya.
(over from JMom's blog...) This hits close to home with me too. Thank you for the message today, I really needed it! Lovely.
That's such a wonderful reminder! Thanks so much...I needed it:)
(Here from Lots of Scotts). I have been thinking this same thing but as a second grade teacher. With 18 students it is so easy to have a "herd" mentality and not look individuals in the eyes and really listen. This is my prayer for next semester: to be PRESENT and FOCUSED. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for all the comments! Just hope this comes with the reminder that time with our kids is something God wants us to enjoy, but there is always the balance of not letting the enemy get ahold of our hearts and condemning us into believing we are "not enough". Always tricky for me..moving forward with the fresh conviction of the Holy Spirit without letting the devil get a foothold and keeping me in bondage to mommy-guilt. Hope you are blessed with rich time and wonderful memories with your family this season.
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