YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD MOM

   Last night, while at the 4-H Achievement Dinner, my youngest wanted me to go get him lemonade instead of the tea I had chosen him. My next to the youngest had already left to get a refill on his lemonade, so I told him to catch up to him so he could help him. The youngest begged and pleaded, but I kept telling him the same answer. Finally, he did as I told him. I had no idea I was being watched. The pastor's wife that was sitting down from us looked at me and said, "You're such a good mom. The way you quietly repeated what to do."
     I replied, "I've had lots and lots and lots of practice. And I didn't want my pork chop to get cold." The truth was, although I enjoyed getting a compliment, I know better. I know the truth. I have failed more times as a mother than times of being a good mom. I am a organizational nightmare. I can't keep up with the house, the kids, the laundry and the yard. I call the laundy room The Great Abyss, because I never see the bottom of it.  My temper is likely to show it's ugly head when the kids are fighting with each other or when they don't mind. And, my children fight with each other and , at times, they don't mind. At the funeral of my sister's mother-in-law, her children said that they had never heard their mother raise her voice. My children will never be able to say that. I have a country holler that would put thunder to shame. It's a good thing we live in the country. I walk outside and see a thousand things I need to do; then I walk inside and see a thousand and one things that need to be done. My one goal as a mother was that my children know our Lord and Savior, and I have failed at that with all the older ones. I heard on the radio that children were turning their backs on God because, although we take them to church, we don't model a relationship with God. I am guilty of that, too. I see so many people that do a better job than I ever could.
      BUT, I have been a blessed mom. God has filled my home with love. He has protected my children even when I have botched the job. He has fed us when we didn't have money. He has clothed us even through the hardest times. He has taught my children, so even the ones that deny His existence enjoy learning and have knowledgeable in a large variety of things. HE IS SUCH A GOOD FATHER! And, I am humbly honored that anyone would ever think that I was a good mom, but the truth is...I am a totally dependent mom, who, through the grace of God, has been given the opportunity to raise and LOVE these children.