Do You Manage or Mother?

The last few months I haven't been managing my mothering very well. There have been lost papers, missed deadlines, bad suppers and impatient responses.

It takes precision and organization to manage. Which are mostly skills I do not have. And no doubt mothers need to manage things to serve their kids. I usually prefer dealing with activities and papers than dealing with my children. It's easier.

What does it take to mother instead of manage?

A manager is concerned about what their kids do.
A mother is concerned with who her kids are.

Managers schedule and organize.
Mothers nurture.

Managers are concerned about the bottom line.
Mothers are concerned about the heart.

Managers get annoyed when things don't go as planned.
Mothers embrace the things unexpected moments bring.

Managers have a good grasp on the best way to reach goals and complete tasks.
Mothers take the time to meet needs.

Managers work.
Mothers play.

A manager may turn on the T.V.,
but a mother stays and snuggles.

A manager is focused on pursuing goals.
A mother puts the needs of her family first.

A manager imposes punishment.
A mother offers forgiveness and reconciliation.

A manager meets a precise bedtime.
A mother takes time for hugs and stories.

I'd rather mother with heart than manage with skill.

Do You Really Know...

Do you really know...


what it's like to need help until you are helpless?

the true comfort of mercy until you are broken?

the real power of forgiveness until you have sinned?

the value of confidentiality until you've got things to confess?

the hurt of judgement and criticism until you are judged and criticized?

the great gift of friendship until you have nothing to offer?

how to hold on to only Christ until there is nothing else to hold on to?

the full meaning of humility until your failures become public?

the true heart of compassion until you know people who still want the best for you despite your problems?

the depth of God's love until you feel completely unlovable?

the warmth of God's grace until you are made painfully aware that you don't deserve it?

I Had Fun Today

I took a twenty-four hour trip with my youngest girls yesterday and today.  We drove for four hours to attend a party for my Grandma’s 89th birthday.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  The trees were white with frost.  I enjoyed the trip and seeing my family.  I even had time to go to my favorite thrift store! 

Then nighttime came. At 11:00 p.m.  Maren and Annie were running around the house jumping off the steps.  They’d had pop, cake, and candy.  They were excited to see everyone.  At midnight, Annie went to bed with my mom.  Maren finally fell asleep with me.  Until 2:00 a.m.  She came to the bathroom with me, watched T.V., and then fell asleep with me in the chair.  I slept sitting up the rest of the night.  I think I got 3 hours of sleep. 

I had to head home right away the next morning to go to the “girl movie” with Jenna at school.  I was tired driving home and so were they.  I started to let our fun road trip get stressful.  They wanted this and that.  They couldn’t agree on a movie.  They couldn’t hear the movie.  They couldn’t reach their snacks.  Finally, they both fell asleep for a while.

We stopped for lunch and gas.  It took us 30 minutes for our potty stop.  I was getting frustrated.  I wanted to get going.  I wanted them to hurry.  My answers were getting short and snippy.

Annie got out the iPod and started listening to Go Fish, her favorite.  She kept playing the song “Snooze”.  And listening to that song, I realized that I am really glad these girls are mine.  I am glad that we got to go on a trip together.  I treasure the time with them.  I want every day to be a special memory.

It’s so easy to lose sight of what really matters.  At the end of the day, does it matter if it takes us 30 minutes in the bathroom?  Or if we have to stop another time?  Does is matter if there are skittles all over the floor or I have to listen to a kids movie instead of what I’d like? 

What matters is not letting the little things ruin a fun trip.  What matters is laughing when they trick you with a fake stick of gum or noticing airplanes making stripes in the sky.  What matters is making memories.  What matters is loving the time we have with them.

Snooze

Jamison J. Statema

Verse 1
I had fun today doin’ what we did
I’m so glad that you’re my kid
I love all the time that we spend
I hope our adventures never end
But . . .

Chorus
The day is over now
Another memory
I had good time being with you
I hope you had a good time being with me
Tomorrow is another day
We haven’t got a minute to lose
So lay your head down so you can rest up
It’s time to take a snooze

Verse 2
A perfect little product of God’s design
I still can’t believe that you are mine
Time with you is a treasure for me
So much to do and so much to see
But . . .

Verse 3
Before you fall to sleep tonight
Let’s fold our hands and close our eyes
You thank the Lord for all you did
And I’ll thank Him that you’re my kid
Chorus
© 2005 Found Free Music (ASCAP)
Administered by Fun Attic Music

Heirloom

I’m on a short trip with my little girls to celebrate my Grandma’s 89th birthday.  We’re coming home today. 

I was just wondering if this beautiful baby quilt my mother-in-law made

can still be considered a family heirloom?

Winter