The Best Mommy in the World!

Miss S started her first job today at a used book store; 

she is in heaven, since she is a major bibliophile
(she has been reading since she was 2 1/2)!

It was another milestone in a long list of milestones 

that I got to cherish today.

As she packed a lunch bag and gathered her Social Security card and birth certificate 

so she could fill out her first ever W-2 form,

I thought back to a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

Back to when I gave birth to Miss S and became a mother to her,

I, quite frankly, didn't know what to do with her!

We brought her home from the hospital, all 10 pounds of her! 

(My sister called her "Huge!" and the preacher decided 

she would drive herself home from the hospital).

And the first month went something like this:

When she cried, I fed her.

When she slept, I watched her.

When she cried, I changed her.

When she slept, I cleaned house furiously.

When she cried, I comforted her.

When she slept, I showered or napped.

When she cried, I cried.

I called on my Father God constantly for wisdom and strength and patience.

He gave it. Faithfully.

As Miss S grew older, I questioned our methods of feeding, discipline, teaching, 

choices of Mother's Day Out and schools (we decided to home school),
 friends for her, you name it.

I wondered if I told her too much or too little about the world, 

too much or too little about Jesus.

Would she learn my bad habits? (The answer is YES).

Would she learn my good habits? (The answer again: YES).

Most importantly, would she learn to love the God I love and know as Father?


Then one day, when she was around 8 years old 
I received this from her:


A bouquet and a letter.

Then, it hit me, I AM the best mommy in the world!
For her.

What I learned, while being observed by Mini-me, 
was that my actions spoke louder than words.

Mini-me imitated my behavior, 
not the behavior read from a book.

In her eyes, I was the standard 
and she saw me as the best mommy in the world.

But, was she seeing joy in my home making, marriage and life?

Did I cultivate the privilege we homemakers have in hospitality, cooking, 
ministry, baking, decorating, cleaning, 
learning an instrument, gardening, scrubbing toilets?

More importantly, did I cultivate the gifts that were endowed to only her?

Was enthusiasm for the mundane, with no promise of reward part of my behavior?

Not always.

But, as I realized that God gave her to me to teach me, and vice versa, 
I finally comprehended that I was raising an adult, not a child.

So, I understood, then, that I had to kindly and patiently guide her and encourage her.

To become a person of virtue, of kindness, compassion, of faithfulness, 
honesty, joy, and of forgiveness.

Eternal traits, with enduring benefits.

She is 19, an adult now, and although, not perfect (because her mommy isn't), 
she is one beautiful treasure 
that I can say was worth investing in.

A living, breathing Masterpiece, that I can say with confidence, 
I have invested my home making soul into.

She knows the One in Whom she can trust.

She knows the One who treasures her 
and regards her as a treasure of inestimable worth.

The best kind of treasure.

SO!
Did you also know that:


YOU are the best mommy in the world?!
It's true!

We must understand that the time we invest in our child(ren) is eternal. 
Don't hold back. Throw yourselves into your work. 
Confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)