Being a mother was the only dream I had as a little girl. Oh, I know many women who aspire to be doctors, lawyers, politicians, and peace-keepers. But me–well, the only thing I ever truly wanted was to marry a godly man and have four children. Why God saw fit to make my dreams come true I will never understand, but I will always be grateful. On this Mother’s Day, I can honestly say that my children are an amazing blessing to me. All the work, the tears, the anguish, the angry words, the worry…they have all been worth it. As I have grown older as a mother, I have been challenged in my opinions and my priorities. Nothing has grown me up in Christ more than raising children. And, so it is with these thoughts that I write the following to my children —
I don’t care what grades you get or what school awards you win, as long as I know you are trying your very hardest.
I don’t care where you live, as long as I know you are serving the Lord with everything you are.
I don’t care what career you choose, as long as you are working hard and are keeping God and your family your top priorities.
I don’t care what you study or what degree you pursue, as long as studying God’s Word is always most important.
I don’t care what you watch, listen to, or read, as long as you choose with a heart that wants to please God more than wants to please self.
I don’t care what the world thinks about you, as long as God is pleased with your life.
I don’t care who loves you, but only how you love others.
I don’t care what accolades, awards, and contests you win, but only that you are a graceful loser and a humble winner.
I don’t care if you marry someone short or tall, plain or good-looking, as long as your choice loves God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
I don’t care if my grandchildren are child prodigies, I only care that you teach them to love Jesus with all of their being.
Life is short and the choices we make mold the next generation. I pray that you would be bold and spiritually strong and that you hunger for holiness and righteousness. I pray that God would give you a hatred for sin and that you will be prepared to face the battles and dark days that surely lie ahead. You four are such an incredible blessing to me. I am not sure you will ever truly understand…until you have your own kids. Until then, know that you can’t do anything that would keep me from loving you. And I am in your corner –maybe not always saying what you want me to, but urging you to glorify God with your life and to use your talents and life for Him.
I love you all so much.
Love, Mom
I shared this post here–
Still tears…
Yes, so true!
In fact my daughter will graduate high school this month. In the last two years she have written lots of projects based on her love for Jesus and for the Holy Bible. She is a smart and hard working child, she even refuse to go to the University of Toronto where she was admitted. She said she is affraid that if she goes to the University she will not come to church anymore, like a lot of Christian children did. She want to grow up in Christ and to marry a godly man and to become a mother with many children. :)
Thank you, Leslie!
:) Sounds like you have a very wise daughter!