"You know what I want to be when I grow up?", Maya asked.
"What do you want to be Maya?", I responded.
"I want to be a mommy, and I think I need to practice."
"What do you think Mommies do?" I asked her.
Maya said, "They make (that means cook), they clean, they take care of their babies, they take baths and they love soap." ( I had PICA when I was pregnant and so Maya often saw me smelling the soap to satiate my desire to eat the soap - so in her little mind that is what all Mommies must do.)
Soon after that conversation, Maya picked up her baby doll and started pretending to nurse her dolly just like I was nursing Leah. She then walked upstairs and got her mini-cradle and set it right beside baby Leah's and then Maya put her baby doll to sleep in the cradle just as I was putting Leah down. Almost with out fail, since that first conversation a week ago about Maya wanting to be a mommy, she has done just about everything with her baby doll that I am doing with Leah. I will sit for nearly 30 minutes nursing, and Maya will take a seat across from me and pretend to nurse her baby doll for the full 30 minutes. She will set up the monitor when her baby is sleeping and then pretend her baby is crying and finally go to rescue and comfort her. It has been absolutely precious to watch.
And she has been positiely amazing with her baby sister Leah as well. She loves to help me take care of her. She helped bathe her...
She loves to hold her in the front pack.
On the boppy...
A little shout out to Leah's loving big brother Cole.
In all seriousness, we really need to mind the scripture in Titus as there is a growing and gross lack in far too many homes of real love between husbands and wives and a running from wifely and motherly duties - all to our own detriment...
"Older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2:4-5
It is so important that we are good examples to other younger women and girls revealing the importance of really loving our husbands and children and being diligent in our homes while allowing our husbands to serve as the heads of our homes so that our children understand godly order. I am astonished at how many women slander and speak ill of their own husbands or who are continually running from their duties at home. And the truth of the matter is that our peace as women lies in fulfilling our duties in our current state of life - so if you are married then love your husband. If you are a mom, then love your children - and in doing so we will be bringing honor instead of shame on the Word of God. I believe that just as I was so taken by Maya's desire to be a good mommy (making and cleaning, nursing and bathing...), I believe the Lord looks on at us as we choose to do those things that we might be tired of doing....loving when we don't feel appreciated, doing when we don't feel "seen". For God sees and in doing these things we are pleasing Him.
Thanks, Kerry.
Beautiful post in every way.
Love from NC.
Posted by: cindim | August 06, 2010 at 09:36 AM
This post is so encouraging to me. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Posted by: T | August 06, 2010 at 05:38 PM
It seems like only yesterday Maya was dodging her fear of trains. Growing, but unlike a weed. Instead a beloved flower!
Posted by: kathy naylor | August 12, 2010 at 02:00 PM
Right on Kerry! To the glory of God!
Love your blog!:)
So glad to hear that Leah Joy is in the arms of you, Scott, and those precious big sibs! Again, praise our Father and all to His great glory!!!
Lori in Rock Hill, SC
(blessed wife to Jimmy; mom to 6 blessings,including 2 ShowHope treasures)
Posted by: Lori | August 24, 2010 at 06:21 PM
How incredibly self-righteous and narrow minded! I dare say there are plenty of women who love their husbands and children and yet are far more capable of being the head of the home than their husbands. As a couple the husband and wife may even agree that the wife is better suited for this so that the house and family function in a more efficient and peaceful way. I would also venture that there are a number of us who you would consider "running from our duties at home" who put in a full day's work and yet are can still be a "good mommy" by your definition of "making and cleaning, nursing and bathing". Not only do I put in a full day's work and do all your defined mommy duties, I'm also the one who goes in late after the bus comes, is home early to meet the bus after school, does homework, runs them to their activities, volunteers at all their schools, organizes and transports to therapies and tutors, disciplines and guides my children and I certainly love my husband and children. How sanctimonious and arrogant that you would suggest that those of us who don't fit into your narrow little vision of motherhood are bringing shame on the Word of God! Being judgemental brings shame on the Word of God, or has that part been deleted from your version of the Bible.
Posted by: Deb | September 07, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Deb,
I am sincerely sorry that my blog post was offensive to you!
In writing about the blessings of being a mom, I neglected to
share my heart and conviction about the fact that I see moms
who work outside the home as no less godly than those who do not.
I, myself, worked outside the home when my first son was little.
Some in the church judged me for it and this was very painful
for me. I can remember wanted to yell outloud, "but God has called
me to this and He has not released me to be home only." Since having Leah, I have said many times, I need to pray more for working moms with multiple children because I remember how hard it was with just one and
having to work! So, for makig you feel judged by this blog post, pleAse
accept my apology. I don't know your person circumstances, but it sounds like you have a great deal to do and that you love your family. As for the concept of "one's duties in their current state of life", if God has called
you to work outiside your home then this has it's own duties as part of your current state of life- so may God empower you to do these things
in a way which also brings glory to His Word and His name!
Posted by: Kerry Hasenbalg | September 07, 2010 at 02:20 PM