Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly how to say thank you on Mother’s Day. At least I often find it hard to express how much I appreciate all that my mom has done for me and continues to do.
I’m thankful that this year I was able to write something small in honor of my mom and for all the moms out there who pour their heart and soul into mothering.
Happy Mother’s Day, mom! I love you!
Yesterday, at Woman’s Life (our church’s women’s ministry), my mom gave a message on God’s Heart for Children. This week was Part 2 and the focus was practical. Last time, my mom’s message was an in-depth look at how God wired us as women to view children and how we need to also adopt God’s view of children.
Both of these talks will be available soon on www.mfth.org.
I thought my mom’s outline for the talk was really helpful so I thought I’d share it. I found it to be such a great reminder!
The sections below contains helpful tips for mothers of children in each stage. This in no way even begins to fully touch on all that was covered yesterday, so you’ll just have to listen to the talks when they are posted!
Newborns & Babies
1. Remember the R word: Relax.
2. Remember Who chose you to be a mother.
3. Savor the moments when no one can soothe your baby but you.
4. Smile, even when you’re tired.
5. Remember that God is in control.
6. Pray.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
1. Remember the R word: Relax.
2. Play patti-cake. Build blocks. Make cookies. Play tag.
3. Give lots of hugs. Read books. Do chores.
4. Let them help you.
5. Answer their questions.
6. Welcome them into your home.
7. Pray.
Adolescents
1. Remember the R word: Relax.
2. Talk to them about things that interest them.
3. Ask them questions and for their opinion.
4. Laugh at the endless jokes & riddles they will discover for the first time.
5. Tell them about yourself when you were their age.
6. Play games with them even when you don’t feel like it.
7. Be the authority. Give lots of hugs.
8. Pray.
Teens
1. Remember the R word: Relax.
2. Serve lots of food (for active boys).
3. Discuss world events from a Biblical worldview. Don’t be afraid to say what you believe.
4. Get into their world and enjoy their company.
5. Continue with hugs and lots of food.
6. Respect their thoughts.
7. Let them know they are a needed member of the family. Give them meaningful work.
8. Give lots of hugs.
9. Pray.
Adult Children
1. Respect your children as the parents of their own children.
2. Don’t meddle; let them ask for your advice.
3. Look for ways to encourage them.
4. Let them know you are available to help.
5. Ask for forgiveness when necessary.
6. Give hugs.
7. Affirm their decisions.
8. Wait patiently (pray & fast) for a wayward child.
9. Tell them you love them.
This is not a post to complain, but to express my gratitude. So many of you have been so encouraging to me in the past two months. You’ve asked how I’ve been feeling, told me it’s normal, and that I will get through it. You can totally relate, and you know exactly what to say!
I realize that I’ve joined the club, the “selfless motherhood club” of dying to self for the joy of giving life (I don’t mean that I’ve always been selfless during the past couple months, but that I am learning firsthand what I already knew was a requirement).
(I just want to say here, that I have not been that sick, but just the normal sickness that comes with the first trimester).
And from what I know to be true from all the wonderful mothers I have seen, is that this is just the beginning of giving of myself for the amazing joy of bringing up and nurturing a little person.
So, that’s all I really want to say. Thanks for the sacrifice that you have made to give birth to all the little ones in your home.
Thank you to my mom for enduring months of bedrest, fear, and sickness in order to give birth to me.
And for those of you with daughters, one day, when your daughter is pregnant, she’ll thank you too.
Grant and I both love to read. Grant even more so than I do. No matter where we have lived (which is 3 places now in the short time we’ve been married), there have been a plethora of books on theology that he has had on hand. Right now I’m studying the book of John because Grant had a commentary on the book of John on his desk. I’ve read so many books that I probably never would have read if it were not for the fact that Grant basically carries a biblical library with him wherever he goes.
Castleberry Hearts 