God's Kids

It’s finally happening. My crew is gaining independence to the point where I can read again. Not entire books like I used to, but I actually checked two books out of the library that were not Easy Readers, Board Books, Drawing Books, Simple Machines, Weather,….you get the idea. Granted, I will not finish these books before the twice-renewed due date, but I will have read parts of them.

Here is what is currently on the end-table. Madman by Tracy Grout –a fictionalized account of the madman at the tombs by the Gadarenes whom Jesus healed from demon possession (several thousand pigs and unhappy farmers were involved). The Minivan Years by Olivia Bruner, Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Motherhood. Here is just a bit of encouragement from Bruner’s book:

“Every mother needs to come to the place of recognizing that her children are not, in fact, her children. They are God’s. Sure, we have the privilege of bearing them, feeding them, comforting them, teaching them, and eventually, releasing them. But we do not own them. Our overprotective impulse, while perfectly natural, is profoundly misguided. I believe God wired moms to keep His kids safe so that we would nurture them toward life, not worry ourselves to death.
The apostle Paul gave valuable perspective to Moms when he wrote the following: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who Love Him, who have been called according to His purpose…..For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:28, 38-39, NIV

So when (not if) mishaps occur, we can rest in the knowledge that God uses all things—even imperfect moms—to accomplish his purposes in the lives of our children. Correction—His children.”

Ever notice that when you watch someone else’s kid, you are more patient, more careful, and more quick to react. Granted, you don’t know these kids as well as the ones you live with, but someone has trusted you with their care. I like to remind myself that God has trusted me to be the mom of these kids. Not only that, but He will provide me with what I need to parent, train, direct their steps, and guide their hearts. He has joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.