Saturday, February 26, 2011

This Child of Mine


We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.  Psalm 78:3


Emily, this child of mine.  She's about to flee the nest.  My first thought is selfish -- Am I ready for her to go?  But the next thought frightens me.  Did I teach her all she needs to know?   Do all mothers have these thoughts running through their head when graduation is looming? 


Emily, this child of mine.   She knows how to do all the domestic chores to take care of a home.  She knows (and proved it this week by tackling it all) how to care for laundry.  She can even cook enough that I don't need to worry she'll starve. Got that all covered.

Emily, this child of mine.  She's kind, unselfish, obedient.  She loves God with all her heart and is bold in her beliefs and stand. 


What bothers me is my life.  Has my life been the right influence for her?

Have I modeled forgiveness so she will forgive?
Have I cared about "the least of these" so Emily will care when others are mistreated?
Have I been willing to be used of God, making it easy for Emily to say yes when necessary?
Does my life reflect God and His glory, becoming more and more like Him so Emily will hunger for His presence in her own life.

Those kinds of things I wonder. And whisper a prayer over and over that I got it right for Emily, this child of mine.

* * * * *

Raising Children to Adore God


From the author of Worship--A Way of Life comes this inspirational, biblical resource for every parent. Whether you have preschoolers or children in college, you will find the creative tools and strategies you need to revive worship in your home. Patrick Kavanaugh will show you how to bring your family into God's presence during the daily routine of life. Don't sit idly by and hope your children will develop a passion for God. Take them beyond the Sunday morning church service and show them how to worship seven days a week. Inspire them to adore God privately as well as corporately, and help them embrace a victorious Christian lifestyle that won't end when they walk out your door.

34 comments:

Nikki (Sarah) said...

beautifully written....

Judy said...

Hello Pamela,

Very nice to meet you! You have such a pretty blog. Just lovely! I love your post. I ask these questions myself concerning my son who is 15. I pray my husband and I will teach him all he needs to know before he leaves the nest, which is only two years away. :-(

I don't want him to leave either. I will miss him dearly. Thanks for stopping by my photo blog. I also have a devotional writing blog that is linked to spiritual sundays this week. It's called Walking With God. It's near the top of the list on the Spiritual Sundays web site. The URL is http://virtuouswomanministry.blogspot.com. Please visit me there as well. And thanks for becoming a follower. I am now a follower of your blog.

Blessings,
Judy

Clint said...

Beautifully conceived and written. Thank you.

Mika said...

You sound like a great mom!
I'm following from the blog hop.
I'd love a follow back at www.mikaspantry.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Mika

Mevely317 said...

This is beautiful ... I sense Emily is so honored by your words, Pamela!
Thank you for sharing this gimpse of your heart today.

Sarah said...

Good luck to both of you, I bet this is really scary for both of you!

I am going to look into that book, it sounds perfect for me.

(I am a new follower, I hope you have time to stop by www.mooseandtater.com)

Renee said...

Hi Pamela
Wonderful post...always hard to send our children out into the world...I wondered the same things...Looks like a good book. God bless.

Esther Asbury said...

Beautiful post and something for this mother of a young child to ponder in the weeks, months to come. So many lessons to teach by living them out.. my prayer: "Oh, may all who come behind me find me faithful!"

Lynne said...

What a lovely post! My boys are still fairly young but I do often wonder if I am setting them up right to face the world as Godly men. I am happy to have found your blog on Meet and Follow Sunday, I hope you will stop by at http://1busychick.blogspot.com

Sarah said...

A beautiful post and I love the images you used.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

thank you...from this mother of four who have left the nest, and two still home, I still have times I question if we did the right thing, did we do all we needed to do...then I release them to the potters hand and remember He isn't finished with any of us yet and I only held them for a small time, He will train them for a life time

Thanks for the encouragement...enjoy this senior year!! Congrads!

Emily said...

Dearest Mother of mine,
Words cannot describe the thoughts racing through my head. You, my dear, are nothing short of amazing. The life you lead is everything and more you have prayed it would be. You truly are my greatest role model...I only pray that I can become half the wonderful woman of God I see in you day in and day out. Now, with tears in my eyes, I love you...more. ;)
Love,
Emily Diane

Patti Hanan said...

Pamela, This post is beautiful. I have four grown children, and I wondered too if I had done all I could. What is important to remember is that they are God's children, too. He loves them and guides them. The most important thing a parent can do is bring their child to the Lord. You have done that, and you will reap eternal rewards.

Musings of A Minister said...

The fact that you ponder these things helps me to know that your were the "right" kind of mother displaying an example of the kind of woman you desire her to be. And it sounds like she is! Good words. Well written. Thank you.

Jocelyn said...

I think sending our child out into the world is the hardest thing a parent faces. Wonderful post.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

Joan Hall said...

Pamela - I agree with what Clif said. Beautifully written post and you have such a pretty blog.

Blessings,
joan

Kathleen said...

Oh, what a poignant moment in your life! A lovely post - many blessings as this new chapter in your life (and your "baby"'s!) draws nearer! Thank you for the book recommendation!

Stephani Cochran said...

Pamela, thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! I love the title and look of your blog. This entry is so beautifully written. So glad to meet you today!

Mindy said...

What a bunch of wonderful things to be able to say about your daughter. I loved the little "poster" in the middle. As a perfectionist in my work, I LOVE the beauty of acknowledging imperfection in ourselves.

That books sounds really wonderful!

Donnie said...

What a sweet way to express the fears we all have being mothers. Lovely.

Dena E's Blog said...

Ahhh, all my thoughts and fears and hopes exactly.. I'm all misted up...Prayers and Hugs Dena

mariel said...

how precious! I love this!

Grace said...

I feel every caring mother does double check herself when it is time the children move out.
I'm sure you have given her a solid foundation in which she can grow and learn.

MTJ said...

Hi Pamela,

You've written words of love for a daughter that any parent would want to echo. When my oldest enlisted in the Navy, I must admit I didn't agree with his decision. As a father, I was torn between duty to one's country, and the apprehension of him being involved in military conflict.

As we stood outside the bus station awaitng for him to board and embark on his new journey, I wanted to grab him and say, "You're not going!".

As a father, everything in me wanted to protest against this. Suddenly, as he was about to turn and board the bus, he stopped, hugged me and said, "I love you daddy." The Holy Spirit then reminded me of what John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He must increase, but I must decrease" -- It was then that I understood that I needed to entrust the Lord with the life of my son. His influence in my son's life could only develop as I submitted myself to a reduced role of influence.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

Anonymous said...

My daughter's only nine and I wonder the same things. Thanks for sharing this book, I'm going to definitely look for it. It seems you've done a fabulous job raising your daughter!

Abby

Discovery School at First Baptist Heath said...

I LOVE the layout with the poem.. Is that your writing and could I borrow that?..I would totally give credit to you the beautiful author... I have th eperfect shot of a little gils that could use that poem added to it.. Thank you for your consideration!

Unknown said...

I am so glad to see you back at Soli Deo Gloria. This post just melted my heart and I so desire to make sure my children are ready (which is a long time from now) to leave the nest, to equip them, to make sure that they know they are completely and fully loved.

Charlotte said...

Pamela, because you have asked yourself these questions tells me that you probably did a very good job of instilling these values in your daughter. I know what you mean though. You can always look back and remember how you handled certain situations and think there was a better way to do it. I'm glad you shared this with us on Spiritual Sundays.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Jodene Shaw said...

Oh, Pamela, this post is evidence of your model to her . . . how beautiful and heartfelt. I am so encouraged by your heart for your "E" ~ Emily. Thank you for your kind words over on my blog in which I wrote about my "E" ~ Erin.

Amy Sullivan said...

Ohh, I'm so not ready for this stage in life. Thankfully, I have a few years, but I know I need to think about it now.

Anonymous said...

I think about those questions a lot too (my daughter is 12) ... but leaving the nest, that's got to be tough. But it sounds like you've done a good job preparing her! :)

Unknown said...

Pamela,

I read your Emily's reply and am crying b/c of missing my mom and all she taught me and so much more I want to thank her for...trusting she hears and sees in Heaven...

Priceless mama's heart...if Emily's journey is at all like mine, she will only see more and more of the incredible woman she calls mama...

and oh, how you touch all of our deepest-longings-as-mama's hearts...bless you! and hugs:)

Sweetened by Kagi said...

You sound like an amazing mom! This is so beautifully written :)

Kim M. said...

Love that girl! I am sure you will not have an ounce of trouble with her. She is precious and you have been a great example to her.