Editor’s Note: The Power of Moms is a website for mothers of all religious preferences. Our Spiritual Sundays section is a place where our authors can write about thoughts that are more spiritual in nature, and our goal is to gather a wide variety of perspectives. If you (or someone you know) has something to add to this section to help us reach a wider audience of mothers, please send the submission to [email protected] Thank you!
“Mom! Wanna see the seeds I got in Sunday School?” My five-year-old tapped on my shoulder from the backseat of our Camry and thrust her little paper cup toward me. A few seeds sat at the bottom—patiently waiting for some soil, and a label haphazardly stuck to the outside of the cup read, “My faith in God can grow.
“Very nice, honey.” I said, as I attempted to hand her cup back without allowing the seeds to vanish onto our crumb-covered floor mats. It was then I noticed the crayon drawing of grass, a stem, leaves, and a rose inside the cup. As I imagined how awkward it must have been for her to manipulate the crayons in such a small area, I asked, “Why did you draw this flower on the inside of the cup?” She looked at me as though the answer were obvious and replied, “So the seeds can see what they can become.”
God put children (a.k.a. “little seeds”) into homes and families (a.k.a. “paper cups”), and provided parents (the matured seeds) to show them what they can become. Each day we have great responsibilities to teach our children and be examples in what we say and do. When we give them nourishment, tend to their needs, and provide them access to light (all kinds), they grow physically and spiritually.
We never ended up planting the seeds in the cup my daughter brought home because I couldn’t bear to cover her artwork with dirt. Instead, I keep the empty cup on my desk to prompt the question, “What do my little seeds think they can become today?” I wonder what they are learning from the example I am setting.
One evening as my kindergartner “helped” me reorganize my bookshelves, I realized an important lesson I had neglected to teach. As we sifted through piles of college textbooks, novels, how-to books, and religious texts, my daughter asked, “Why do you have so many books?”
“Because I like to read.” I answered. “Didn’t you know I like to read?”
“No.” she said seriously. “I just thought you liked running around” (meaning, she thought I liked running around the house cleaning and chasing children).
Ouch. Here I thought I had demonstrated the importance of literacy and education, and I thought my daughter knew that mothers could nurture their minds as much as they nurture their children. What she had seen me do, however, differed greatly from what I thought I was doing. Since that time, I have tried to keep books with me and read while she is awake—occasionally telling her what I am reading, and encouraging her to pick up a book and read by my side.
(Fun little side note–I wrote this essay about five years ago, and now my children all LOVE reading. It’s nice to see your work paying off….)
On the days I feel like I have failed (and there are plenty), I remember that the Lord put me here and gave me the title of Mother. He wants me to succeed through my faith, and the more I believe in Him, the more I believe I can do all these things.
The hassles of life come rapid-fire each day: your child loses shoes, insists on skipping a much-needed nap, and/or dumps half a container of fish food into the newly-cleaned aquarium. Sometimes it is hard to remember what we’re actually trying to accomplish. At these times, we can remember that we, as mothers, are sometimes role models to our children by showing them how to handle imperfections—not by being perfect.
I hope to teach my children how to reach for the very best that is within them. I hope I can model a life worth replicating, and I hope I can show them that where I fall short, there is a Perfect Example to show them how to grow.
QUESTION: What can you do to become the example you want your children to follow?
CHALLENGE: List five (or more) characteristics that you would like your children to learn from you, and then evaluate how you are doing on exemplifying those characteristics and teaching them to your children.
Image from Bing Images/water4you
Submitted on 7-12-2010 at 03:34pm
Thanks so much for sharing this! I loved the story and how it applies. It is so fun to watch our “little” ones grow!
Submitted on 9-2-2007 at 03:05pm
April, you are so good at writing and finding meaning in your everyday activities! I sure learn a lot from you and your “very smart” children. Thanks for taking the time in writing down these precious memories to share with us.