Do any of these sound familiar?
THE TOP 13 THINGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME
#13 – She taught me about how to become an adult … “If you don’t eat your vegetables, it will stunt your growth, and you’ll never grow up.”
#12 – She taught me about logic … “Because I said so, that’s why.”
#11 – She taught me about foresight … “Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.”
#10 – She taught me about irony … “Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.”
#9 – She taught me about contortionism … “Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck.”
#8 – She taught me about endurance … “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”
#7 – She taught me about the weather … “This room of yours looks like a cyclone went through it.”
#6 – She taught me about hypocrisy … “If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times, don’t exaggerate!”
#5 – She taught me about appreciation … “There are millions of children around the world who are starving, so eat your supper and appreciate it.”
#4 – She taught me about anticipation … “Just wait until your father gets home.”
#3 – She taught me about medical sciences … “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.”
#2 – She taught me about ESP … “Put your jacket on. Don’t you think I know when you are cold?”
#1 – She taught me about prayer … “You’d better pray that Kool-Aid stain comes out of the carpet!”
Actually, my mom only used a few of those on me and my four siblings. We had a good home and parents who loved us, took good care of us, guided us, and carried us to church every Sunday. (Of course, our Dad was the pastor, LOL). Mom passed away 17 years ago, and we all miss her still. Even in the later years of her life, she had a great smile, loved to play card games with the family, was proud of her children, and sang in the church choir as long as she could.
One description of Christian parenting tells us that the primary role of the father is protection, and of the mother affection. For instance, in Paul’s letter to Titus, he tells the older women to “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children …” (Titus 2:4)
Generally, we expect our mother to love us above all others. It is natural. So, think of protection and affection this way. If a child falls down and bruises their knee, or even just bruises their pride, who would they typically run to? Mom. She kisses it and makes it better, comforts the child, and tenderly takes care of the hurt.
On the other hand, suppose the family is strolling through the shopping mall and a loud gunshot startles everyone. What would the child be likely to do? Grab Dad’s leg with both arms and hold on tight. I know this is a generalization, but the point is these are situations where a child has an urgent need and God has designed parents to meet those needs.
Neil Anderson, author of Who I Am in Christ and other books, says that there are three basic human needs … acceptance, security, and significance … and he lists the many Scriptures describing how God meets each one. Parents imitate God for the young child by providing these needs. You can see how the combination of a mother and father helps the child to feel accepted as a person and safe from outside harm. Obviously, mothers and fathers both do some of each of these, according to their gifts and the needs of the child.
Each of us emerged from childhood with some degree of these things. From there on we allow God to finish the work that our parents started. The purpose of parenting IS NOT to raise children from dependence to independence! It is to raise them from total dependence on their parents to total dependence on God!
Thank you. Lord, for those mothers who have helped us to feel loved and accepted.
Blessings,
Chaplain Mark