Jochebed's Purse... the purpose of parenthood

Counting the Cost

“Being a mother is not about what you give up to have a child, but what you’ve gained by having one.” unknown

After eating breakfast in bed, I arose to the joyous sounds of laughter. As I entered the living room, my family was busy cleaning the house, an endeavor of which I had not demanded them to undergo. Singing at the top of their lungs with warm and beautiful smiles welcoming me as I entered the room, they insisted that I sit down and ran to get me a cup of coffee, asking what they might do next. After inquiring if they had done all their chores, they immediately responded. ” No ma'am, but we will do them immediately.” As I sat back to relax in my chair after my day of appointed honor, I couldn’t help but think, ” Yes, it was ALL worth it.”

...Then, I woke up. Reality set in as I was awakened to the screams of two toddlers yelling,” That’s mine!!! MOM, tell him to give it back!!!!!”. My 8 month old was hungry and crying. I walked into the kitchen to find that my oldest had tried to help me by removing the entire contents of my pantry, transferring them to the kitchen table, with aspirations of organizing them. The problem soon became obvious when I noticed that this endeavor had become too overwhelming, and now he was outside riding his bike. As I made my way toward the door to call him back inside to help me clean up the mess, I noticed water flowing from underneath the laundry room door. Water heater; GREAT!!! IS THIS EVEN WORTH IT?!

Is this worth it?” It is a question that I, and many of you, have asked at various times throughout life’s journey. Although I would love to instruct you on how to be the perfect parent, I can merely share my journey and some of the the lessons the Lord has taught me along the way.

The dream; obviously fictitious. The event of reality; a combination of events that have happened at one time or another, with some details changed to make a point.

After parenting for a little over twenty years, I have learned many ways of how NOT to do things and some ways that have been effective. We all wish there was a manual for parenting. The reality of someone writing one; is impossible. The variables of how to deal with individuals, are as great as the number of fingerprints that have existed throughout history.

Our children are unique individuals that God has given us the privilege to be the steward of. My mom told me that anything of quality, is worth the time and effort is takes to gain or achieve it, and that we get what we pay for. Good quality, is often measured by the price one pays to gain it.

The answer to the question, “Is it worth it?”, is determined by what we're focused on when we ask that question. If our focus is on our pleasure or comfort at the moment, we will be left frustrated and wondering, “What was I thinking?” When we find ourselves in the moment of frustration asking the question; “Is what I’m doing making a difference?” , we must turn our focus to the purpose of parenting and not merely the problem, it is there that we will find the answer to this question.

You see, we are called as parents to HELP form the lives of the individuals God has given us. He has allowed us to be stewards or caretakers of their lives until they are grown. We are to train them to respond to us the way that they should respond to God when they are older. We must always keep that concept as our focus. Easy to say, but sometimes hard to put into practice. Thank GOD for grace, because we are sure to fail. However, God wants us to do just as we would want our kids to do; get back up, ask for help, and try again.

Running to the bedside of his young child, a father grabs his son who is crying and frightened. “It’s ok son.” the father gently says. ” Daddy is here.” After the sobs subside the father says a prayer, then stands to return to his bed. ” Don’t leave daddy.” the frightened boy pleads. “It’s ok son,” the father consoles, ” Jesus is here.” The boy replies, ” I know daddy, I just wanted someone with skin on.”

We know God is always there to help us and give us the wisdom we need, but sometimes we just need someone with “skin on”.

My prayer, as you read how God has helped me through my parenting journey, is that the things that God has shown me, would allow me to be that one 'with skin on' for you.

Parenting is an amazing adventure of stewardship.

copyright 2018 Debbie Reed