Hey, Dear Ones! I’ve been meaning to hop on the blog all weekend long to say Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms but I’ve been so busy being one, I haven’t had a solitary second! Melissa flew in on Wednesday and worked at LPM the rest of the week so she could be here for Mom’s Day. She’d missed her coworkers so much and they’d missed her, too. She also needed to hang pictures in her office and put her own personal touches on it. She’s got taste none of us around there can really emulate. An interior design major turned Bible exegete creates a curious mix. Amanda worked in the office several days this week while Lis was here so it was a particularly wonderful atmosphere around the ministry for me. Colin flew in, then, late Thursday night and hadn’t been home since they’d moved to Atlanta. He is so darling. We all enjoyed having him like crazy.
Since Melissa and Colin had to leave pretty early today, we had our Mother’s Day celebration yesterday. Curtis graciously babysat our little guy while Amanda, Melissa and I did our Mother-Daughter thing at the greatest mall in Texas: The Houston Galleria. We were there when it opened. My idea of a good time is to give my girls a tad of shopping money and tell them they only have that one spree to spend it. The offer ends in four hours. With great glee, then, I watch them go into a frenzy to try to spend it. They balked at first because it was Mother’s Day but 1) they’d already spent plenty on me and 2) that’s what I wanted for my gift anyway. As young adult daughters often are, both of them are on a tighter budget than me so it’s such a blast to watch them get something they wouldn’t afford for themselves. We all three tried on one thing after another in three consecutive dressing rooms and sometimes Lis and I just shared one so we could see each other’s outfits. (Amanda’s more modest than we are but we always try to peek at her to make her mad.) We laughed like crazy and talked about everybody we had anything nice to say about and tried to bite our tongues over anyone we didn’t. Sometimes more successfully than others. JK. We behave pretty well. As long as nobody’s been ugly to one of my girls at which point I can seem suddenly overtaken by invisible powers and principalities.
We ate at Kona Grill there at the Galleria for lunch and it was really good. The hostess at the restaurant was a sister in Christ we’d never met and we really hugged. She was just adorable. Tiny little thing. Me and both girls all had on heels so we looked like the Jolly Green Giant’s twin sister and two daughters. We’d have loved for her to have sat down with us but I think she thought she might have needed a high chair. We piled our shopping bags in the booth, sat down with joyful sighs and ordered Sushi for appetizers. AJ’s liked it for a while but I’m just beginning to develop a taste for it. My buddy and one of my God-daughters, Amy Hodge, has been teaching me to eat it and even with chopsticks. I let her order for me because she knows some safe stuff I like. If I’m not with her I just order California Rolls unless they have deep-fried sushi on the menu because I know I like that. Whatever kind I get, I drown the first one in soy sauce and enough wasabi to make me cry then as soon as the waiter gives me CPR, I eat another one. Really fun. Melissa was so proud of me for trying something new. She said, “Right about now, Mom, I’m picturing you on the Texas Cyclone (the terrifying, rickety roller coaster at the old Texas icon, Astroworld), with your hands straight up in the air, practically free falling down the steepest part, screaming happily like me and Dad instead of riding The Serpent with all the five year olds.” I looked at her dryly and said, “It’s just Sushi. I’m not even sure I like it.” I hate roller coasters. I liked the Serpent. The one at Astroworld anyway. Not the one in the Garden. Nor the one in my business. After loading up the car and making one last stop at Anthropologie (and me griping about the price-tags), we headed home because we had lots of preparation to do.
The girls and I threw a Mexican Fiesta at my house for Mother’s Day Eve with Keith’s parents, our dear forever friends, Johnnie and David Haines (we raised our kids together), both sons-in-law and, of course, the Master of Ceremonies, the Little Mister. We ordered fajitas from a really terrific place by Curtis and Amanda’s then made all the fixings around it. Melissa made the best queso from scratch that you have ever tasted in your life. I’ve never seen so many things go into queso. Whatever happened to Velveeta and Rotel, for crying out loud?? She also made guacamole from scratch with an equal number of ingredients. I never saw so much chopping in my life. I just cleaned up behind her. Didn’t know what else to do. Amanda made a sopapilla cheese cake that was honestly one of the best desserts I’ve ever tasted. She left it at my house last night late and, after I ate nearly half of it, explained that she didn’t take it home because “you would not believe all the fat that went into that thing!” She said, “I knew I didn’t want it at my house!” Thank you, Amanda.
We had the best time, laughing and talking, and playing with Mr. Center of Attention. Lis and Colin had gotten him a ton of toys. One of them was a big bubble maker. By the time the evening was over, we all needed a “Slippery When Wet” sign hung around our necks. We were all suds but no duds. (I’m proofreading this now and realizing that I might need to explain that by “duds” I don’t mean clothes. I mean party poopers.) Everybody got into the action. It was only about 95 degrees in the shade. Houston is just perfect for eating outside if you can avoid encephalitis from twenty-five mosquito bites per leg. It was a terrific evening. Really.
I love the fact that our blog is for anybody who will give us the privilege to serve her, whether single, married, divorced, or widowed. I try not to overdo the wife and mother thing because our single siestas bring something so important to this mix but on this day everybody understands. So with your permission, I just want to say that I love being a mother. I’ve never had a harder job but I have never done anything in the human realm that gave me more sustained joy. My parenting days won’t be over until my days are completely over but here are a few things I’ve learned along the way – and many of them from making mistakes and getting to try again:
*Kids are pretty danged resilient. Ours survived some rough times but knew their struggling parents – fighting so hard for wholeness – loved them like crazy (and sometimes just loved them crazy) and were steadily trying to get healthier and healthier. When Keith and I each came to conclusions that we were messed up enough to mess them up, we went to counseling. The girls knew it and respected it.
*They don’t expect their parents to be perfect but they sure as heck expect them to be real. They despise hypocrisy and disrespect what is disrespectful even if they’re too scared to say so. They respond well to genuine apologies and, in fact, don’t learn to extend them otherwise.
*They need lots and lots of hugs and kisses even if they act like they don’t. They need to be told “I love you so much” over and over even if they don’t seem to be listening. They are. Don’t just give in to a sullen child and become sullen with him/her. Some kids have everything to lose if you let them win. Keep fighting for a relationship and try to take interest in their interests and sooner or later, they’ll cave in and smile. I respect few parents on earth more than Dr. James McDonald (pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in the Chicago area) and his wife, Kathy. When one of his kids became a teenager, he felt an unfamiliar distance grow between them. He became so worried when it persisted that he told his church he was going to need to take some time off and wasn’t sure how long. With Kathy’s blessing, he told the teenager to pack a bag and get in the car with him. He drove out of the driveway, and took off on a road trip, explaining to the child that they’d return when their relationship was mended. Needless to say, after some very awkward hours, they ended up talking, crying, laughing, and making memories that they’ll have for a lifetime. Now, that’s some fine parenting.
*They need to laugh a ton with their parents and be silly. There need to be lots of private jokes that only family understands. When both girls married, those were the things they recalled to their daddy and me most.
*They need to know that God is not just the Boss. He’s the biggest blast in all of life. They love to learn the wonders of God in creation. Things like how He made a bumble bee to fly even though it’s aerodynamically impossible and how animals exist in Africa and Asia that we’ve never even seen in a zoo. They long to be taught simple pleasures that cost nothing more than a moment of time away from the TV, computer or cell phone – like marveling at a sunset or applauding God over a sunrise and clipping roses from a bush and putting them in a vase. Or watching roly-polies. Digging up earthworms. Fishing for a perch. Beholding a lady bug on a tree trunk. That all of these things are wonders of God and that He’s worth jumping up and down over.
*They need to know the beauty of Christ when they’ve done something wrong and feel guilty. They need to know that they have a destiny; that Christ planned their lives for this exact time in history and has given them gifts to discover and develop as they grow up. That they are important because He’s so important. That nothing so bad can happen to them that He can’t use for good. That Mommy and Daddy can’t make them Christians. They have to accept His free gift of grace and invite Him into their hearts. That we think nothing is worthier of celebration than that and we’ll risk throwing out backs out to do cartwheels when they let Christ do something wonderful in their lives.
*They need their parents to follow through. To say “no” when “no” needs to be said. They need their parents to be parents at the risk of being very unpopular. They need parents to intervene in an unhealthy relationship with the opposite sex. They need not to be given so many material things (even if we can afford it) that they grow into discontented, narcissistic adults. Nothing is less pleasant than a thirty year-old brat.
*And when they become parents, they don’t need their parents to turn their noses up at them and act all pious like they never lost patience with their kids. They know better anyway. They don’t need parents to forget how hard having preschoolers was and tell them, “These are the best years of your life!” No, these are the most exhausting years of your life. Wonderful! But exhausting! They need us to maybe chip in and pay for them to get their houses cleaned from top to bottom every now and then rather acting like we wish they were better housekeepers.
*Their friendships with their siblings need to be high priority. This one I blew so I share it with you as a regret. I regret allowing them to bring friends along so often on family outings. Yes, they begged but I wish I’d more often said “no.” Yes, they’d have pouted. But they also would have gotten over it and turned to each other. We always had their friends around and I think it may have kept my girls from making good friends of each other for a very long time. Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I think it’s also really weird when parents severely restrict the home to family and don’t encourage their kids to make friends and get involved at school. Me? I think they’re hiding something. There’s something really freaky and cultish about sequestered homes. (NOT in your wildest dreams talking about home-schoolers! I’m talking about homes where virtually no one but the family members who live there are allowed. I think that’s weird but what do I know??) At the very least, kids don’t end up developing social skills and, instead, become really bizarre adults that can’t get a normal job. Sorry. My point is, I think there should be a pretty steady dose of activity just for family so kids have to play with each other instead of ganging up on each other with their peers. I believe in having a revolving door to my children’s friends and having tons of spend-overs but I am convinced that I allowed it so often that my kids made better friends than each other. Our best memories are from family vacations where Amanda and Melissa were all they had. Joyfully, they are best of friends today but it’s because, when they moved to different cities, they learned that nobody is like your sister. Take it from me. I have one sister that I never lay eyes on. Don’t even know for certain where she is. Doesn’t sober up enough to have a conversation. Let alone a relationship. I miss her so much. We were inseparable growing up. You feel incomplete when you’re out of sorts with a sibling. They’re too much a part of who you are. No one should be a better friend than your sister.
*God gives lots of grace to parents. Good thing, huh? Let me offer you some encouragement based not only on my experience but that of many other people I’ve known. If you give a rip and try a flip, this whole parenting thing often turns out so much better than you thought it would. Sometimes you can’t even believe that’s you your kids are talking about. You realize they forgot some things. And now you need to, too. Praise You, Lord, for parenting mercies.
Amanda and Melissa, you are the greatest daughters God ever could have given me. So witty. So funny. So loving. You make me think. You make me laugh my head off. You make me spend. And you make me pray. Boy, do you make me pray. Amanda, Happy Mother’s Day yourself. Oh, my word, you are a fabulous mom. Melissa, Amanda and I can only imagine the fun mom you will be one day. What a blessed child that will be. Never a dull moment.
Oh, wow, Siestas. I went on longer than I meant to. So, instead of closing, I’ll go on a minute longer. I thought if you wouldn’t mind humoring me, Mother’s Day might be a sweet day to share a poem God gave me many years ago when I was sitting in a hotel room in a city where I was speaking. It was a rare occasion when I left on a Thursday instead of a Friday and I was miserable thinking about how my children would have to get ready for school without me. I was so homesick I could hardly stand it. I’ve read it here and there along the way so you may have heard it before but it’s dear to me, especially today, so handle it. It’s the only poem I ever memorized. No, it’s not a sacred one…unless you think parenting is sacred. And I do.
It happened just exactly like this:
I called to check on home last night
To see if all was going right
My man assured me all was well
And it was true…I could tell.
I felt so far away from home
So by myself, so all alone
No noise here, no bouncing balls
No fussing kids, no endless calls.
I asked if everything was set
I didn’t want him to forget
To take care of the “mother things”
To hang their shirts and crease their jeans.
He said, “Your oldest set her clock
She’ll get us up right on the dot
Don’t worry now, they’ll get to school
We love you much, we’ll see you soon!”
The phone went dead. I wasn’t through…
I barely said, “I love you, too.”
I sat and stared down at the floor
“She’s never set her clock before.”
She’s just a kid, not old enough
To wake without a mother’s touch
What chance is there at school they’ll say,
“You’re one great kid! You’re loved today!”
Kids need to hear those words first thing
Before a careless clock can ring
And furthermore, they like, I frowned,
Hot cocoa when they first come down!
“Dads,” I thought, and fell in bed
Then after while to myself said,
“He’s probably right, give them a break
She is fifteen, for heaven’s sake.”
“Fifteen,” I sighed, “Where has it gone?
Since that first day before the dawn
When she and I told secrets dear
And her first bath was in my tears?”
I’d held her close with just one arm
Reached for the phone to call my mom
“Oh, Mom,” I sobbed, “I love her so!”
She cried as well and said, “I know.”
The years are mean…they rush on by
The kite string slips into the sky
She’s nearly grown, yes, plenty old
To wake up when the clock says so.
I felt so sudden like a fool
It won’t take Mom to get to school
How silly…they will all be fine
Just go to sleep and rest your mind!
I tried to let the dawn go by
Without a call to check and pry
To see how everyone had fared
Got your lunch? Homework prepared?
I finally grabbed the phone and dialed
It seemed to ring a country mile
My heart sunk swift…they must be gone
Dad’s out the door…dog’s on the lawn.
I started to hang up the phone
Until I heard a voice on
The other end as up he leapt
“For heaven’s sake, we’ve overslept!”
Suddenly the house lit up
He threw the phone, said, “Kids, get up!”
I heard each voice at a time
They were mad, but they were mine!
I cheered them on from miles away
I heard them readied for their day
And just before they slammed the door
She yelled, “Thanks, Mom!”
That’s what I’m for.
Tags: Parenting
Wow, Beth…of all your posts I think that this one is my favorite! Such wonderful words of wisdom. I absolutely love to hear about your relationship with your girls.
Thank you for being honest about your failures. I so often see today and then worry about the future. I am so excited to say though, that God has been very busy at my house this week. He is doing some REALLY neat things in my family!! I HAVE GREAT HOPE!!
Bless you Beth! Thanks so much for sharing your stories! I love the part where you said they need to know God is not just the Big Boss, but the biggest blast in life! My baby is graduating high school and heading off to college and I just don’t know where the time went. It has been a blast and has been my biggest privilege to show them all how fun and doting God is! We are so blessed that all three of our kids are serving Jesus and living for him!
You aren’t aware of it, but you have been there through the past several years with us. God has used you and your writings to encourage me and reveal things to me many, many times. God truly is so gracious! Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Happy Mother’s Day, Mama Beth!
It’s been a difficult day; my mom and sisters are distant (emotionally and geographically), and my friend/other mother has been dealing with aging issues, reminding me that she won’t be around forever.
But my kids came through; my son just left after telling me about his new girlfriend…for an hour and a half! My faraway daughter called. My four younger girls were so sweet.
And I got online for just a minute, just to find a wonderful post that helps me remember what I am trying to do with my kids long term — it’s so easy to focus on the daily ups and downs and squabbles and sweetness — drama abounds with so many girls in the house!
This post gets shared with my young’uns… I think it will help them to know where I’m headed with their upbringing. And it won’t hurt me at all to read and reread it; might help me stay on track a little better. Thank you! Thanks so much for sharing your family with us…
Love,
Alyson
Happy Mother’s Day Beth and Amanda! I just recently discovered your blog and I have gone back to the beginning to read it all….it has been such a blessing to get to know all of you…thank you for sharing your lives!!! That Sopapilla cheesecake sounds very interesting…I would love to have that recipe!
It’s about 1:15am as I read that. I was having a bit of trouble sleeping tonight. That was a wonderful post and I’m ready now to give sleep another try but not before I go in and peek at my sleeping babies (not exactly babies anymore but not that far off either) and kiss the one I know will sleep through it and blow a kiss at the one who’d surely wake up.
Thanks for the wise words. You’re a blessing.
Melanie
Happy Mother’s Day Beth and Amanda! What a wonderful post, Beth. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your wisdom. I know it was hard fought and I appreciate it all the more because of that. Your day with your girls sounds fabulous…I can’t wait until I can have day like that with my two girls at the mall and not have to wonder which one to chase down first as they tear off in opposite directions the flat instant they’re allowed out of the double stroller!
I got “Feathers From My Nest” for Mother’s Day (my mom got the Breaking Free daily devotional – it was an LPM Mother’s Day all around after our wonderful weekend with you in San Diego!) I’m so looking forward to digging into it. I perused all the family pics and the Easter pic of you and Keith and the girls and “Beth’s hair” in 1987 absolutely made me howl! How precious of you to share that with all of us! Blessings to you for many more wonderful years of mothering!
Christine
I have been a mom for twelve and a half years, and I just spent Mothers Day in a different state than my children. I have never been away from them this long and my momma heart is sad. I fly back to them Tuesday…it can’t come quick enough.
Oh I have had a gamet of emotions while reading your post. Joyful, happy, sad, and truth be known, a little envious of your relationship with your daughters (and the spree!). I have three sons the oldest just shy of entering the teen years. I needed to read your thoughts on parenting and your lovely poem. I am a working mom and wife…and in great need of prayer. My littlest one just came down with a high fever today and yesterday at a birthday party, we had a bad scare in the pool. A boy was riding on his back and did not realize he had not been up for air in quite some time. Praise to our God that another boy saw it and pulled him out as I was frantically running throught the guests house as I saw the whole thing from inside the house. He is ok. Was coughing and crying and scared to death. Me too!
My heart aches because these are the times I long to stay with my boys at home. I have a new job and must work. I will be phoning a family member or friend to do the work of my job as a mother tomorrow when my 7 year old stays home sick. Husband has demanding job too we do not have the liberty we so desire to stay home when kids need it. Please pray for me siestas. Did not mean to write so much. May God Bless each one of you ladies. Much love to you and yours Beth.
Siesta from FL.
A dear friend lost her mom recently…so I’m saying a prayer for all the Siestas in similar circumstances. And I’m really missing my mother in law, who has been gone almost 9 years.
If your memories are good ones…cherish them…and tell them to your children.
If your memories are difficult, ask God for His help, and then change that inheritance to one of blessing!
Happy Mother’s Day, Siestas!
I am flabbergasted reading all that you wrote from your beautiful tongue, but not surprised for weighty words live within you. And your tongue is the pen of a ready writer, Isaiah 45:1,2 and there it went again. Kindled by God’s Grace. Inspired by the Holy Spirit. An Instrument of God’s use. Touching the King. Unto the end, that those who read these words will be changed. Thank you so much for “hemming us in behind and before.” You so remind me of what our beautiful God breathed into Ezra 7:6 This Ezra was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, and the king granted Ezra all he requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him. May God grant you this Mother’s Day all that you have spoken to HIM about because His Hand is on your life and on your children’s. Can’t thank you enough Beth for the hope you have handed to me this past year.
My husband made me a card comparing me to The Proverbs 31 Woman. I was looking pretty good until:
Rises early and fixes food (well, nobody’s perfect)
Thank God for husbands who love us and fix breakfast!!!
Thanks for the sweet Mother’s Day gift, Beth. That was fun and encouraging to read. Wishing everyone a good year of mothering,
Warm in Alaska.
Oh Beth, Thank you dear sister, thank you so for such a sweet message for this mother bird who is preparing to empty her nest.
I had a wonderful Mother’s Day with my family. We watched… I’m not kidding you… Movies! Yes, Movies all day long. My youngest got a call in the middle of one and I heard her whisper, “I’m watchin’ movies with my family.”
GLORY! I loved today. We watched so many movies our eyes are sore! Oh yes they are. “Bella” is my favorite and one I really do recommend. But keep a tissue box (full) handy. **SNIFF, SNIFF.**
It was good to have my girls on the couch, legs all tangled together as they each found a comfortable place to put their nearly six foot frames on a couch that might be six foot long. HA!
At around 5 PM my fella’ took note of my request for an indulgence of the most shameful kind. “Would you go to Sonic and get me a large Coke?” He went all right, and got one for me and the girls as well. Bless his soul. He is such a good man. Not just ’cause he got us sodas from Sonic, but just ’cause he is.
They did, by the way, let me sleep in today. It was well after noon when my eyelids dawned the day. I walked out to a chipper “Happy Mother’s Day!” Some days are just better when you let others have their leave. And today was one of those days. Spent in jammies and with kids afoot.
Well after dark,in the middle of the ump-teenth movie of the day, the group grumbled some “I’m hungries…” and even bickered about who might give Mom a break from her kitchen chore. But, alas, when no one claimed the job I threw off my favorite quilt and stood laughing, “You girls will starve when you are out on your own.” They laughed and agreed only to come home for meals daily.
We had a family fave: scrambled eggs with cheese, wheat toast, and sliced apples. The girls were literally licking their lips as the toast browned two at a time, my man on the toaster taking care of that chore. He was sweet to do that for us. We ate like we hadn’t in days… and laughed at the simple pleasure such sweet times are. Times that will come less often as the future makes its turn. I ponder them in my heart even now.
I had an awful weekend before today, full of angst with an ex-husband and my girls’ dad. Knowing full well they are at an age where they don’t miss much and seeing them hurting as a result was more upsetting than what the man had done. The truth be told, I was just tired, angry and frustrated and he called at precisely the wrong moment. For which I left a message of apology since he would not take my call. I apologized to my girls, too. Asked their forgiveness and found their grace so sweet. They tell me often that I am a good ole mom, and they love me dear. But, since time is short, I guess I will close this here. I am not really trying to rhyme but feeling quite, quite sleep deprived.
Blessings sweet sisters and friends. And Happy Mother’s Day to those with children! Love Ya’ll!
Happy Mother’s Day! But I have to admit, when you are military overseas, but your hubby is in the states (SOMEBODY explain to me the logic in that!) and your younger toddler falls off your bed and you have to take him to the ER, so you get to church late, and then he later falls off another bed (does the child never learn?)…I have to remind myself that not everyone gets to celebrate mother’s day. Even if it was purely chaotic 🙂
Beth,
My mother’s day was a little sad as I continue to worry about my friend who just left the hospital after a suicide attempt and is now in a mental facility waiting on the next step in her recovery. My heart broke for her four children yesterday! Mental health insurance is terrible (I would use a different word here, but this is a LPM blog). Everyone please pray that she will find a long term care facility where she can finally get well for herself and especially her children. She is such a sweet person,. beautiful, and loves God. I could go on and on about her good qualities when she isn’t on drugs. It is a disease that is hard to cure. I so wish you could come here a sweep her up in your arms and bring her to LPM and watch her 24/7 surrounding her with God’s love. I don’t want to bring everyone down after your wonderful blog. I hugged my family “harder” yesterday. I thanked God for them – that I am not battling that disease. I pray for all of those who are. God bless!
Beth, thank you so much for sharing your mother’s day with us and especially the poem. It’s not the first time I’ve heard it but it made me tear up nonetheless. There are few things in this life that I have loved more than being a mother. I am only 2.5 years in and I want more than anything for my little one to grow up to be a Godly woman. A warrior for Christ. A teenager who actually WANTS to dress modestly. You are a shining example to us of what a mother should be and one thing that I heard you say along the way sticks out in my mind. You said that more than anything else you prayed for your girls to love Jesus above all things. This is what I pray for my own sweet girl. Happy Mother’s Day to you to!
Beth – Thank you so much for sharing some of your Mother’s Day experience and parenting wisdom with us. Your insights are truly valued – especially to those of us with younger children who are constantly wondering if we are doing it right! Raising children who grow up to be godly adults with strong Christian values, as you’ve succeeded in doing, has got to be the greatest Mother’s Day gift ever! May God continue to bless you and your family ~
P.S. I think Amanda and Melissa need to share those queso and cheesecake recipes! 🙂
Thank you for those nuggets of wisdom. I am in the preschool years and it is nice to hear someone say they are tough. I know I will wish them back when my kids are grown, but I am so weary now, just trying to keep up!
I realized several years back that Mother’s Day is precious…not because I might get a gift but because I have been given a gift already. I have the gift of eternal life and I have the gift of children. This Mother’s Day was especially sweet because I got to walk my firstborn to the front of the church where he professed that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior! PTL!!!!!!
Wow. God is good. I feel that I’m heading into a tough season with my 9 year old. Hormones are starting to rage and attitude clouds are forming. I appreciate the advice about not being sullen with your sullen child. Cause let me tell you, I want to roll my eyes right back at her!
Thanks for sharing your mistakes with us. To know that you struggle just like we do makes you AND God’s mercy all the more real.
Loved every single bit of this.
Thank you.
God has used you in such a mighty way in my FOO(family of origin)! God got a hold of me in college 15 years ago. A few years ago, my mom began doing your bible studies every semester and it HAS CHANGED HER LIFE – praise our holy God! A year ago my dad was dx with cancer, 6 months ago, my mom – both 67 years old. It’s been quite a year, but over and over, the lessons we learned in your bible studies have helped us believe God in some very dark tunnels.
I gave my mom “Praying God’s Word” yesterday for Mother’s day.
I am so glad you had a great weekend with your girls, loved your parenting wisdom!
I read this entry last night but I was so moved I couldn’t think of anything to say, I still really can’t but I feel like I should say something….I just pray that in spite of me and my husband’s faults and weaknesses God will use them to make our children stronger and we can pass on a love and passion for Christ that cannot be quenched! I love you and your family, Beth.
Sacha
What a busy weekend Beth! So glad you had a great time with friends and family.
In Him,
Nancy
Such great tips! Happy Mothers day to you (a day late) both. Hope you had a wonderful day!
Precious!
I had a wonderful Mother’s Day, too. My man and babies we so good to me! God is good to me!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mama Siestas out there…and also to those who may not have children of their own, but who have a Mother’s heart!
Happy Mother’s Day to Beth and AJ too! Thank you for reminding me of this beautiful poem and all the wonderful parenting tips- Like another siesta said, I think I will need to print these off and save them for the many parenting years that lie ahead for my husband and I as we raise our 1-year old twins. I agree: parenting is hard, but it is sacred. What an awesome privilege the Lord has blessed us with to disciple our children.
It is our prayer that we might ignite a love for Jesus in our children that then controls everything that they do. Like you said, not just see Him as the Boss but the God of wonders. And be so in love with Him that He is their first priority and the greatest love of their life.
What a wonderful shopping spree it sounds like you had with your girls. My sister and I too have become the best of friends now that we are living miles apart (she is in Atlanta and I am in NC)… But the girl weekends, when we get back together with Mom, are always a blast: We too share dressing rooms and laugh so hard we cry! We are all looking forward to joining you in San Antonio and having a girl’s weekend of our own!
Thank you again for your incredible heart and ministry- You are loved much by this Siesta!
Beth,
Thanks for the encouragement! Boy I need it right now.
Blessings,
Dana
Wow! I’m typing through tears. What a refreshing, heart-touching post. Thank you for being real and for being an encouragement to moms today. You are a breath of fresh air for my Monday morning. You are loved much and appreciated so.
Your poem is so true! Some days it seems like they will never grow up, and yet when they start to need their mom less, we fret over that too! What crazy people moms are! You made me cry with the beauty of it, and of course the ring of truth in my ears.
In Christ,
Leeanne
Thank you, Beth, for the sweet reminder of the resiliance of my children…boy, do we mess up! But we love them and each other and most of all…Jesus, so much! Praise the Lord that might be enough to make mighty men of God out of my young sons!
Happy Mother’s Day, Beth & Amanda!
Thank you for sharing your lives with us!
Thank you, Beth, for the wonderful words of wisdom. I especially appreciate the advice about siblings and friendship. I have a son who is 11 and two daughters 9 and 5. It is so tempting to appease my 11 year by allowing his buddy to come over often. I do adore his best buddy but I value the friendship between him and his sisters. We leave for our first road as a family ever on Saturday. I can’t wait to laugh and build memories together even if it is in the mishaps that often occur on road trips. Thanks for letting me into your world as a mom!
Blessings!
Michelle
Beth,
Thank you for that beautiful post and poem. I am expecting my first child this summer. It scared me when you said being a mom is the hardest job you’ve ever had…I can’t imagine anything harder than your ministry! So I am taking all your advice to heart as I try to prepare for the hardest job on Earth! 🙂
Beth:
The parenting skills hit me deeply. I only wish that I would have been “schooled & prompted” when I was helping my husband raise his two children. I thank God though for redemption and the honor of trying a second round through Grandchildren. We have three, and what a blessing to witness their excitement of being in our presence. It tenders my heart to reflect that back upon my relationship with Jesus Christ.
Just this weekend, my precious Granddaughter says, Grandma, with you and Grandpa here, my FAMILY is all here on the couch.
I’m telling ya, that caused a deep lump and tears to the brim! She will be 4 in August.
And, you words of a wayward sister tells me that I’m not the only one with a dysfunctional family. I have two siblings and my father; which all have dropped a relationship with me. They do not walk with Jesus nor their wives….so prayers and your being real cause me to be thankful for the FAMILY He has brought to me. My Sisters and Brothers IN Christ.
Happy Mother’s Day Siesta’s!
Lovingly,
Yolanda
These leaving home years are so hard-figuring out how to show them we love them without having our hands all over everything they do. It is the best mother’s day ever when they let you know that no matter how old they get, they still need you-always-to be mom.
Thanks for the encouragement for us moms who have not always gotten things right. There are many things I would love to do over again.
My daughter turned 16 yesterday, on Mother’s Day. I think of all the things I did wrong, but amazingly my two have turned out pretty well in spite of their father and me.
I loved your poem. Thanks for sharing it. You and the ladies on the blog are a real encouragement.
Thank you Beth for a wonderful post. I feel like you are a close friend; thank you for being so real. God bless you and Happy Mother’s Day. Love, Julie
Thanks, Beth! I needed that today. These days with an older toddler sometimes make me feel like the wickedest, craziest woman in the world. I hear my voice and think, “Who said that?” I look around, and my mom is no where in sight, so it must have been me.
Thank you, Beth, for such a wonderful post. I’m glad your Mother’s Day was filled with happiness. I loved hearing about your day with Amanda and Melissa.
Mother’s Day is always kind of sad for me, in a way, because I have never had a close relationship with my own mom. By doing your studies and participating on your blog, you have, in a sense, filled a void with me. I am truly, truly grateful for you!
Thank you for wishing all of us a Happy Mother’s Day.
Blessings,
Anne
This has been the biggest year of healing for my motherhood, thanks Beth for showing us the way to freedom and to accept the name that God places on us, Mother. I have two little dogs in my life now and they mark a time of restoration I could have never imagined after the loss of my darling little ones. It is good to have a whole life with a unique motherhood of my own. I do not think I would be alive if it were not for all the Bible studies you inspired me to partake in and I can say “His loving kindness is better than life!” I have picked up my mat and am no longer paralyzed, (spiritually). We are in the Beloved!
Beth,
Thanks for the post. I am a single mother who has raised two great sons, well in away still raising. The youngest Mat moved out last week and I didn’t think I would have a difficult time with it since we would basically pass each other. But I will admit it has been a little hard. I knew the day would come when I would find myself really single (no kids at home) let me tell you it has it’s moments. Oh, by the way tell Melissa I to have my degree in interior design and now have gone back to school Bible Seminary and I love it and I am having a blast.
Thanks again for the post.
Becky
Attalla, AL
Looking forward to June Deeper Still
Happy Mother’s Day to you too. Thanks for all the good advice. I have 2 girls also. We have a great time together. I think it is so important to laugh. Thanks for all you do.
Love, Melissa in NC
Thanks Beth..that was so encouraging for moms of any age or stage. I am a mom to 2 girls also. One is seven and the other is four. One is strong willed, the other laid back.. Its a roller coaster, but I’m glad that God is riding along!
Blessings~
Alyce
Oh, sweet Beth, thank you for sharing about your sister, I don’t have good relationships with my sisters. They are so much older than I am. They have always been close and I have been the black sheep. I have worked very hard to increase my self esteem from all the damage done by them to me. I have forgiven them and frequently pray for them. One of them will not even speak. You have been such a HUGE blessing to me, thank you
Happy Mother’s Day right back to ya, Beth! Thanks for the fun details from your weekend – they gave me a much needed heart smile. Mother’s Day is bittersweet for me because my mother and my daughter are already at home with the Lord. I miss them so much.
I have a wonderful son who at 15 is both the joy and the challenge of my life. He is a precious godly young man & I am so proud of him. And by the way, sushi & roller coasters are his 2 most favorite things. 🙂
Blessings & Love~
Beth,
That was a heart wrenching blog for someone who lost her sister nearly 12 years ago when she was 17. I miss her and the life we might have shared. But, gracefully, we’ll see each other again. Thank you so much for your tips on encouraging that sibling friendship. We live in a neighborhood with not many kids(which I hear complaints about and have often regreted buying in this location), but God being the great redeemer that he is has shown me that it forces my boys to play with one another. So, I hope it means they will be close friends and learn to depend on one another. God is so good to turn something not so good into something wonderful. Thanks and I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Beth,
Thank you. For sharing so much of yourself. I needed to read this today. All of it. We are trying to adopt and there are times when I look at myself in the mirror and think “Am I NUTS? Can I really DO this?” and then I read a word from God’s word and word from God through an inspired freind and I know that of COURSE I can’t do it, but God can.
Your post was wonderful Beth. Thank you for the parenting advice from your experience as a mother of two girls who seem as though they love each other, they love their mother and most importantly they LOVE the LORD!! I’m thinkin’ you done a great job. (MY Texan was comin’ out.)
I look forward to the mother/daughter relationship I never had with my mother. I have a son Isaac (my promised child) and he is the joy of our lives. But God in his blessings to us has seen fit to give us a 7 year old girl. She has a troubled background but God has assured me we can handle it with His strength and grace and love. She has never had a mother/daughter relationship with her birth mother either and so God has put together to misfits in need of each other. I am whole…and I can help her along the way so that she can become whole also. PRAISE GOD!! Pray for her if you think of this post. Her name is Janie. She will join us sometime this summer. I loved the sibling advice you wrote about and I totally agree with you!! I pray Isaac and Janie will form a bond with each other that is very strong and strong in the Lord.
My boys surprised me and took me to lunch at Texas De Brazil after church and then a movie. It was a wonderful day!! I love being a Mom.
Blessings to you and your family,
Royana
(Isaac’s Mom…and now Janie’s mom)Whoo Hoo!!!
oh, boy did I really enjoy reading this, Mama Beth. I am staying with my son this week as I lend him comfort and support as he goes through a rough patch (albeit self-inflicted!). Thank you from the marrow of my heart for your encouraging and uplifting words. and Happy Mother’s Day to you and each of our Siestas and/or Siestas moms!
mariacristina
Wow – what a wonderful post. It was a joy to read, a wealth of advice, and made my heart sing with happiness. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this day whole mother’s day event.
You are a blessing to all whose heart you touch.
Kelli in Colorado
I love your idea of giving the girls money and making them spend it in four hours. I might just have to steal that idea from you.
I loved your parenting tips. So true! My husband grew up in a family where his parents’ lives were peppered with divorce, marital infidelity, partying and just basically self-absorbed parents. As we started to raise our own kids he realized how bad his own childhood had been and wondered how his own parents could have done some of the things they did. That’s when he came to the conclusion that God protects kids when they’re young. He shields their eyes not to see things as they really are sometimes. Not that we can’t be hurt when we’re young, but he never had a clue when he was little how bad it really was.
Praise God that he gives me redemption not just in him, but in the eyes of my kids. My parenting has been so inadequate at times that I wonder how they’ll ever survive me. But then I see that they, like God, choose to remember the good. I loved hearing them whisper in my ear last night as we shared good-night hugs and kisses, “Happy Mother’s Day. I’m glad you’re my mom.”
I would love it if you would share some of your thoughts on ways to teach your children about God. I feel like it’s always a struggle to be consistent with this and I mainly try not to bore them to tears be reading scripture straight from the Bible.
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Beth and Amanda!
-Rachel
I have to share with you a funny story about my 4-year-old daughter, James Macdonald, and you. First of all, he is “the man” at our house–I call him “King James” and my daughter calls him “Pastor Walk-walk dot com.” His preaching ministry has really blessed our lives. Anyway, my laptop is in the kitchen, and I’ve always got Walk in the Word going on it.
One day though, I switched it over to Life Today. My daughter was mesmerized that someone was actually on the screen, rather than just hearing them. She got up on the kitchen stool to watch and said, “Who’s that lady, Mama?” I said, “That’s Beth Moore.” She asked, “Does she love Jesus, Mom? Does she believe in the one true God?” “She sure does!” I answered.
She watched for a few minutes. Then she said, “You know what else? I really like her hair, Mom. And that is such a cute shirt she’s wearing too!”
I thought you’d get a kick out of that. Girl’s got her priorities right, you know? Jesus first, then some good hair! 🙂