Who Is Doing Better Than She Thinks

Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

“DO YOU WANT MAC AND CHEESE FOR LUNCH, BECKY?”

I already knew the answer because it was her favorite lunch after kindergarten every day. I put the pan on the stove to boil the water, and we both began the ten-minute wait. Often I would peel a fresh apple and cut it up into slices while waiting for the water to boil. Sometimes we used the few minutes to catch up on the latest kindergarten news, such as the alphabet letter of the week and the fun adventures on the playground that morning.

The routine of the everyday did not feel special at the time. The same lunch, same apple, same laughter, and small talk did not feel very important. But what I didn’t realize then was that I was stitching together the garment of her childhood. Stitch by stitch, lunch by lunch, I was weaving the story that Becky would remember when she had her own children. It didn’t have to be exciting or fancy or special; it just had to be consistent and loving and purposeful. I did not know this then. It just looked like a pan of water, an apple peeler, and a seat at the oak table by the patio door. But it was love on display, and I was doing better than I thought I was.

Momma, what is it that you are doing every day that seems so simple yet, with the magnifier of time, will have such profound effects on your children’s hearts? It isn’t always the trips to Disneyland they will remember. It is often the routine of the ordinary that becomes the background song of their hearts in their adult years.

When our Lord was with His disciples, He taught them as much as He could every day. He taught them in word and by example. He taught them by sending them out on assignment and then reviewing the assignment when they returned. He shared meals, festivals, and celebrations like the wedding at Cana with them. He lived a life consistent with who He was and what His mission was.

That’s what we do as mommas. We encourage, teach by example, and review the assignments we give our children. We model the life of Christ as we do these daily tasks, and in so doing, we teach our children how to live godly lives and help them to grow in stature and in favor with God and man. Tonight be reminded that you are doing better than you think.

Tonight we pray for the momma who is doing so much better than she thinks. Lord, she pours out her love and yet often wonders if it’s enough. Tonight we ask that You’d lean in and remind her how You see her. She is the momma You chose for this job. You know that as she clings to You, the two of you can face anything. You are so proud of her, and You see how hard she tries. Help her feel Your love tonight. Bless her and give her peace.

We ask in Jesus’s name, amen.

Jesus, I trust You to give me the strength and wisdom tomorrow to tackle these tasks...