I feel like a mom. On days like today there is nothing more truthful in my mind than the fact that I am a mom. I am the nanny of three beautiful little girls, two of which I have almost all the time. For these girls I am the support system. I am the care provider, love provider and confidante. I kiss their boo boos, I make their meals, I hold them when they cry and laugh when they laugh. I teach them their ABC's and to say "Yes ma'am". And it is days like today that I am fully aware of the struggle of mothers everywhere.
I take my girls to church with me (Yes, I have them on weekends), and like many mothers I have the task of keeping these three little girls, all under four years old, occupied and yet quiet. I keep them quiet so they can listen and so as not to disturb other people. I use the term "I am that mom" for things such as these, though I know I'm not actually a mother. So it is days like today when, during church, I am thinking to myself,
I am that mom who picks up her baby girl during worship, then puts her back down when she wants (repeat over and over).
I am that mom who lets her girls drink out of her water bottle because they like it better than their sippy cup.
I am that mom who takes her children out multiple times during the service because they need to go to the bathroom.
I am that mom who brings Cheerios in containers for her kids to eat since they did not get breakfast in the rush out the door.
I'm that mom who's learned not to care when others glance my way in a downward motion because my children are "inconveniencing" them.
And I am definitely that mom who turns into a giant monster Mama Bear when those downward looks are targeted toward my kids.
No one messes with my kids. Period. There, I said it. It's out there. Feel free to take to your twitter to say that I have offended someone once again. But there's a point to all of this, more so than just getting my feelings off my chest and alerting the world to my position. So stay with me.
Matthew 19 talks about Jesus's visit through Judea. Large crowds followed him and he healed them. He spoke to them about divorce until people brought little children to him to place hands on them and pray for them. The disciples disapproved and told Jesus they did. But he said these words that are so familiar to even those who aren't believers; "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these". When I bring my little children to church, I'm bringing them unto Him. So who cares what other people think. They have as much right to Jesus as I have, and no matter how restless they become during the service, or how disruptive, Jesus still has His hands on them and their lives. They are precious, not only in my eyes but in His, and when we determine to be more like Him, our eyes become more like His, and we begin to see others as precious, no matter how small. When we see through His eyes, we forget the petty, put down our predisposed view of "how I want my church to go" and see the big picture of what's important; sitting at Jesus's feet and letting Him lay hands on our lives. When we do that, all else will fall away.
So, the next time you see this little Nanny-Mama, remember to see like Jesus that though things are not in perfect order, they are still precious.
I was going to post about my book today, but this seemed to be much more pertinent. Hope it speaks to someone out there.
Until next time, Josslyn.
