Parenting 101 - PAY ATTENTION MOMENT

It’s Friday morning. I’m running through my mental checklist: 1) Get Jackson dropped off at daycare 2) Make sure he’s got a toy to share 3) Get to work on time. It’s time to get in the car. Jackson, my almost two year old son, is excited because he and his friends are allowed to bring one toy in for ‘Show-n-Tell.’  He’s ready with his choices, one in each hand and asks if he can bring two toys today. ‘Humm.’ ‘This could be a battle,’ I think to myself. Nope. No time for that, I pass the buck and tell him, “We’ll ask your teacher when we get there and see if it would be okay for you to bring two toys today.” 

As we walk in, Ms. PJ, the early morning floater between rooms, turns to greet us. In my sweetest (new mom) voice, I say to Ms. PJ, “Ms. PJ, Jackson wants to know if he can bring two toys for Show-n-Tell today instead of one.” Ms. PJ puts one hand on her hip, lifts her finger at me, and in a direct tone of voice announces in a rather booming voice, “Well, .. YOU are the mom!” 

For a second I just stare at her. It’s as if all 5’11” in front of me has just thrown a bucket of cold water in my face. Yep, I think. I am the mom. I am in charge. I look at Jackson and say, “Jackson, you can only have one toy for show and tell today. That’s the rule.” (You can almost see him shrug, can’t you?) “Okay mommy,” he says as he hands me one of the two toys. And the exchange is done. I give him a hug and head to work. 

I’m so grateful God doesn’t mind giving me loud and clear PAY ATTENTION moments, because otherwise, I would seriously miss the lesson. What did THE MOM learn at school that day? I learned that I get to choose: will I step up to the plate and call the shots or will I pass the job onto someone else and hope they are paying attention. I get to choose: will my ‘yes’ mean ‘yes’ and will my ‘no’ mean ‘no’ or will I be a threatening, repeating parent that never acts? I get to choose: will I slow down and take the time to do the job well or will I just rush to the next thing on my list?

The role of “mom” is a privileged and honorable position. It takes time. We get to … we don’t have to. We are privileged to not only choose the guiding principles of our home but to enforce them. Is it hard work? You bet it is. It takes everything in your tank and then some. We cannot do it well on our own, but when we look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, He gives us the strength, the wisdom, and the guidance to do all things well. The good news: He is able; He is willing; He is dependable; He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; we can count on Him. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Father, we ask that You give us the wisdom we need to raise our children up in such a way as is pleasing unto You. Give us the wisdom and strength to do the job well - to Your glory. Always to Your glory. Not ours. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen

 

Author: Patti Hudson

Editors: Ellen Benfield and Todd Binnig