What If I Were Your Mother?

Aunt Carla And I After We Grew Up

Did you ever play Let's Pretend? When I was a young child, that was probably my favorite game. One of the cousins or I would say, "Let's pretend we are _____. You be the _____ and I will be the ______." We  filled in the blanks with whatever role our imaginations could create. Some of our games weren't politically correct but we would divide into the good guys and the bad guys and play a modified version of hide and seek. We had mock chases and battles. Nobody wanted to be the bad guys and go to jail, but somebody had to do it. And we had more fun than most children who lived on television programs and computer games.

Besides the running and hiding and conquering games, we had the more quiet role playing games. So we played "school", "church", "house", or anything that came into our minds. Today let's play house and I will be the mother. The younger children can be children, I will be the mother, and you can be the father. I'll make a mud pie for supper while you fix the car. And while we are busy, one of the older children can hold the baby and one can sweep the floor. Our "house" was often under the plum bushes and the packed earth floor was swept clear of fallen leaves or other debris that might be blown or carried into our domain. After all the work was done, somebody usually went inside and asked the real mother for crackers or fruit and something to drink so we could have a meal. For hours we would play and -- for some of us, at least -- our minds would go to "when I grow up". After awhile the game was over, the dolls were put away or left outside. The little kids were told we weren't playing anymore if they hadn't already quit and gone on to something else. And we would talk about what we would do when we became parents.

Of course, the day came when we became parents for real. At that point, it wasn't a game anymore. We spent hours every day trying to provide for our children, teach them, keep them warm and fed, put bandaids on their wounds, and kiss their hurts. And while the real job was better than "let's pretend", it wasn't as easy. We couldn't quit.

We had our happy times being mothers and we had our disappointments -- sometimes with our children, but more often with ourselves. But GOD was gracious to us and even though we made a lot of mistakes and even sinned against our family members by losing our tempers, forgetting something important, or making poor judgments, our children must have forgiven our failings and learned from our successes. We believe we have the very best children in the world -- but some of them took some detours in their journey from perfect babies to real-time parents. Don't take those detours. They are painful and bring regret. If you are already on a detour, remember that every moment is a new one with God and you can have His forgiveness and start over. He will never let you down.

Grandchildren, if I were your mother I would want exactly for her what our children are to us. So here is the list of some of those things I would want . . .

1 . . . to see you know and trust the Lord Jesus as your Savior.
2 . . . to have you be obedient to the Lord as you learn from God's Word.  
3 . . . to know you love and obey me and your father. 
4 . . . to have you forgive me when I fail you or hurt your feelings.  
5 . . . to pray for each other and pray with each other. 
6 . . . to talk with you, laugh with you, and cry with you.
7 . . . you to be a hard worker and do your best at whatever God has for you.
8 . . . you to have a Christian home someday and teach your children the WAY.
9 . . . to have you understand that I love you more than my very life.

So on this Mother's Day, give your mother (our child) some love and appreciation. It will make both of you very happy.