Have you ever had one of those moments when God speaks something to you and it just absolutely stops you in your tracks? That still, small voice echoes a message through your heart and you immediately know that you’ll never be the same? I had one of those moments before I ever started From One Beggar To Another and, as soon as I felt God leading me to start the podcast, I knew this was one thing I wanted to share with you all.
I want you stop, close your eyes and imagine.
Picture your children years from now, sitting around with their spouses, their children, maybe even their grandchildren. Imagine they are reminiscing on their childhood and telling their family about their mother. What would you want them to say about you? What kind of memories would you want them to have share? How would you want them to describe the woman who raised them?
Is she loving and caring and always there as a shoulder to lean on?
Is she patient and slow to anger?
Is she God-fearing and always showing them the light and love of Jesus?
Is she present in their lives, not distracted other things but focusing on them when they want and need her attention?
Is she loving toward their daddy and showing them the beauty of marriage and family?
Is she honored by her role as a wife and mother, not complaining about all her responsibilities?
Is she hard-working?
Is she kind and compassionate, teaching them to be the same?
How do you want your children to describe their mother? Now, for the big question…
Are you being that mother?
I know, it sounds obvious. It sounds too simple. But if I’m honest, I don’t always live up to that woman that I WANT my kids to describe. More often than I want to admit, I act in ways that I would be ashamed for my children to share with others. I have good intentions, I have good aspirations. I dream of my children describing me as patient, always available to listen to them, always making them feel loved, always shining the light of God, always showing them how honored and thankful I am for my role as wife and mother. But the best intentions are worthless if I’m not living them out. Let’s face it…
My kids will remember me for exactly what I am, not what I wish I was.
I want my children to remember hearing their mama pray. When trials came, when we were presented with hard times, I want them to remember hearing their mama cry out to God. But they’re not going to remember that if I’m not doing it.
I want them to remember me always listening to them when they need to talk. I want them to always know that they come to me with anything. But they’re not going to feel that way if I’m always too busy doing my own thing and don’t take the time to listen when they speak.
I want them to remember me being temperate and patient. But they’re not going to remember that if I’m always flying off the handle at them when they make mistakes.
I want them to remember that I always made them feel loved and important and cherished. But they’re not going to remember that if I never take time out to spend with them one on one and show them my love.
I want them to remember me as always being honest, a woman of my word. But they’re not going to remember that if I don’t follow through with what I tell them.
What do YOU want your kids to remember? How do you want your kids to remember you? What kind of memories do you want them have when they’re older and looking back on their childhood? Are you being that mother?
If not, it’s not too late. If God is speaking to your heart right now and letting you know that you’re not living what you want your kids to remember, don’t be defeated. It’s not too late, start now. Start today. Make a conscious decision today that you are going to start being that mother that you want your children to describe to their future families. Start making those intentional decisions that you need to make in order to give your children the mother that you want them to remember. Pray, ask God for guidance. We are all lumps of clay in the hands of the Potter. Ask Him with a genuine heart to remove those stones and impurities out of you. Fair warning, it’s not always fun or comfortable when He starts cleansing and molding us. Fun? No. Worth it? Absolutely.
In closing, I encourage you to take some time and think about the “future memories” that you want your children to have. Think about the mother that you want them describe. You may even write it down on paper. Then, take a hard look at yourself and see whether you are being that mother or not. If not, pray and ask God for help and start today making those changes that are necessary to be that woman that you long to be. It IS possible and you CAN do it, but only through the leadership and help of God and through intentional decisions on your part. I believe in you and I know that you can do it! If you’re struggling in an area, I would love to talk to you and encourage you on your journey! Reach out to me at brannigan@fromonebeggartoanother.com and I would love to encourage you, one on one, on this beautiful journey of Christian womanhood.
