The Gifts of Children - A dedication to Moms.

Mother's Day is quickly approaching. This Mother's Day may be different for many mothers. Most of us are in Quarantine. Some of us have adult children that may or may not live with us. The restaurants and churches are closed so we won't be taken out to breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. We may receive a carry-out or have gifts delivered to our door. Other moms have been at home with their children for a while now and are still enjoying the seasons of raising children. Although we enjoy the fanfare of Mother's Day, being a Mother is a blessing. There is nothing like having children, whether we birthed them ourselves, adopted them, or have been in a mother role at some point. Being a mother has truly been one of my greatest joys. I enjoyed each season. I have been completely exhausted and I have had some of the most exhilarating moments! I have cried when they were sick or hurt and wanted to stop their suffering. I have been disappointed when they made unwise decisions or did things to cause themselves harm. I have been so crazy excited when they accomplished a goal or overcame a challenging obstacle. I have laughed and I have cried with them. I want the best for them, I want to see them flourish and thrive. I want to protect them from dangers, whether things or people. I want to show them how to navigate through life, in both good and tough times. I want them to love the Lord with all they've got and to keep trusting Him no matter what.

There has been a definite emphasis on children in the scripture. It tells us that children are a gift from God (Ps. 127:3), that we shouldn't stop children from coming to the Lord (Matthew 19:14), that we should have attributes of a child when we come to the Lord (Matthew 18:3), that we should provide discipline to our children (Proverbs 13:24) and give them direction by training up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6).

One of the coolest things about children is that their personalities come out of the womb with them. You can tell what type of person they are by the time they are toddlers. You can see what types of things they like and dislike. You can see their demeanor, whether they are particular (some might say fussy) or whether they are easy going. You can see if they are hyper, or laid back, whether musical or a lyricist or if they are humorous. Some have great speaking skills and others are have really good hand-eye coordination. What gifts they truly are!!

My daughter loves to cook, take pictures, sing, and make things look pretty. I enjoyed baking cookies and decorating them with her and her brother during the holidays and other times for fun. I distinctly remember when she was about 4. She made me a fruit salad. She proudly walked over to me with this beautiful array of strawberries, bananas, kiwi, and grapes nicely cut up on a plastic plate with the biggest smile. My first thought was panic. How did she cut these fruits up??? She proceeded to show me the plastic knife that she used. I had a great sigh of relief and then I admired the wonderful creation that she just made me. At 4!! She still does the exact same thing with fruit for me today, almost 20 years later. She has been the same person since she was young. She absolutely loved music. I played classical Disney soundtracks for her as a baby and let her listen and sing along. I made up songs for her and her brother and we listened to songs in different languages in the car. I wanted to let them explore and see what they would land one. I asked the Lord when He gave me those babies to give me wisdom for them. I had no idea how to parent. I am still learning.

My son spoke in full sentences as a toddler and was a dry comedian. He was being funny and it threw me off because I didn't know if he knew he was funny or was it was just happening that way. Turns out, he knew he was funny. He was always a very insightful child. He could easily and accurately read people. He didn't make a big deal out of it, he took things in stride, but you could tell whether he trusted someone or not. His aim, with his left hand, was very much on point. He would accurately throw things wherever he would like and hit his mark. He has always been a deeply caring person. He has always looked out for me. He has wanted to make sure that I was ok, that I was comfortable and that I was loved. He also was a good writer. He started a poetry book when he was 11. Such a sweet little guy. He is that same person today, excellent with his words, hilarious, caring, an excellent judge of character, and athletically accurate.

Both of my children still love music and they sing and play instruments today in their young adult lives, they both love to learn other languages and they both are coming into the people they will be. I loved each stage of their lives. I never imagined how much love I would have for them or how much joy they would bring to my life! I loved my babies because I had them. I wasn't thinking, one day they will return the favor or that I was loving them so that they could love me. I just loved them. I watched to see what kind of people they were and tried to help them along their natural given paths. I understood and understand that they are gifts. They actually don't belong to me they belong to the Lord. My job as a parent is to cultivate them and help them go in the way that God designed them. I pray that they continue to follow the Lord as they progress on their journeys, and I pray that He gives them wisdom in their decisions, Courage to be themselves, and Favor as they progress through life.

As much as I love my children. It does not compare to the love that Christ has for us. In Matthew 7:11, Jesus said you (though you are sinful), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! Zephaniah 3:17 says He will delight over you with joy, He will quiet you with His love. He will dance for joy over you with singing. Romans 8:34 tells us that he makes intercessions (prays) for us. Isaiah 41: 10 - 12 says the He protects us. And He loved us so much that He actually died for us to spare us the pain of sin John 3:16. We had to learn our children, but He knew us in our mother's womb Jeremiah 1:5. We didn't know who these people would become but He knew we were coming, He made us on purpose and He loves to spend time with us. So when I think about this Mother's Day, I not only think of the gifts that the Lord provided me with, I think about the gift that He is. I think of the love that He has for me. I am comforted by the fact that nothing can separate me from His love.

Happy Mother's Day!