When Can Mom Let Her Guard Down?
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009
by Susan Thom
The answer to this, of course, is never. Moms go through pregnancy, always worrying and praying that their little bundle of joy developing inside, is healthy. Once born, moms take care of a myriad of tasks. Holding the little one, feeding them, changing them, playing with them, and rocking then to sleep. We buy all the cutest outfits, and all the learning toys. All the while making sure our gifts from God are content.
Before we can turn around, we're in the preschool age, then regular school, then graduation, and those long nights of worrying if our children will go to sleep, become nights of worrying when our teens will come home! We get the calls we feared, our cherubs have had their first, second, and sometimes third car accident. Luckily, they aren't hurt, but the scare of what could have happened stays with a mother, long after the kids have forgotten. Nightclubs filled with kids who want to do bodily harm, in the name of "dance" now replace colic, and bring about the same worry.
Drugs float through the town and schools as if they were vitamins, and we find that sometimes, the threat of curiosity killing the cat is a joke to our no-it-all teens. We find that our shy boys now feel the need to show their backsides as they droop their jeans down to a point never intended to be put on display. Prayers are said that report cards carry better grades than zero's or the F's we never expected from our bright offspring. Although 18-20 years have slipped by, we moms still catch ourselves worrying.
Now there is alcohol involved, which carries it's own concern, and driving, and then, one day, we hear, "I'm going into the airforce." Several months later, another child, a daughter this time, announces that she is going into the army. Destiny hovers above as mom loses all control, and relies on prayer to get her through each day. How can the babies in the playpen together, be going into the military at the same time? I still remember pacifiers and bottles and swings and all the adorable outfits, washed and dried and folded just so.
The first day of school seems like yesterday. What happened to all the books that had to be covered with inverted paper bags? No more back to school shopping. No more teacher conferences. No more friends coming over to play. No more dinners for 5. No more waiting up for them to come home before curfew. No more printing out homework at 10 o'clock. The baby stage, the kid years, and preteens have all come and gone. Age denotes adulthood, but moms never really accept that their babies are grown.
Instead of putting together puzzles, there are rifles in their hands. The camouflage they used to wear as play clothes, are now their everyday attire. Nothing seems to be as important as it once was. The dishwasher can be emptied later. The vacuuming can be done later. Prayer is as necessary as breathing. Each of my children will serve 4 tours of duty. That leaves me with 8 tours of duty to get through, and pray about. My mantra: "Dear Lord, please keep them safe," will interrupt my thoughts throughout the day.
I don't believe a mother can ever let her guard down. There will always be something to pray about. Denial is an escape I can't afford. I must stay in the moment, and be thankful that our heavenly Father will be listening, and if His plans are different than mine, I pray He stays with me to see them through.
My guard is up, and it appears it will stay that way for at least the next 6 years. I have absolutely no control, but I am very aware of who does have complete control. Lord, please hear my prayers.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Hi Sue.I watch families in action like they were in a foreign movie without sub-titles. I don't understand the power and depth of a mothers love or the lioness that emerges when protection is needed.God Bless you, Sue. I pray for your childrens safety, and that they will know what a great Mom they have.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi ken,God has built in a connection between a mother and her children that even defies logic...since many mothers have suffered or died so their kids would remain safe.women have picked up cars off of their child.it is a built in connection to keep our young safe.if a friend and i were walking and someone pointed a gun, i would push my friend out of the way if i could.if i was walking with one of my children, i would stand in front of them-that's the difference.if a close relative needed a kidney, i'd search hi and low for one that would be their match.if one of my kids needed a kidney, and i was a match, they'd have their kidney.thank you for reading and commenting, and especially, thank you for your prayers,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Sue ~May you rest in His arms knowing that He really does have a plan for their future. thanks for sharing your wisdom with other moms. MarijoPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi marijoe,i can only move forward thinking just what you said-that God has a plan for them.and the only rest i will have will be in God's arms as you so wisely put it.He will hold me, and my Faith and trust.thank you for reading and commenting.and i truly appreciate you joining my fan club,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hello Susan, My parents prayed for me when I was in Vietnam. I had bullets zinging by my head at times their prayers were getting through. I'm sure their fate (your children) is in God's hands,we must trust in him.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi david,i know in my mind that my kids are in God's hands...in my heart, i feel terified. Faith and hope will be my friends,thank you for reading and commenting,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Susan, you asked a good one this time. How do you like this? Paradise and Heaven does lie at the top of the Protector’s mind. That is God Himself. We will in no way have a blissful life until we have Godly characters in our hearts. If we allow God to elevate our consciousness, and fill it with His knowledge, Heaven is our destination. Mold the children and teach our children right, there will be God power in all. And one thing for sure, “Paradise and Heaven begins in the womb of Woman.”After my Grand Mother, Mother, and Aunts, I say never, also. Very good article SusanPlease log in to respond to this comment.
hi doctor C,i am working very hard on elevating my consciousness and possessing Godlike characters in my heart. i believe i can see anything through, as a result, i just don't want to :)i know my mom worried about her brood of four until the day she passed. i believe it will be the same for me.thank you so much for reading and commenting.your readership is greatly appreciated,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Great article. Well done.I read an article about the detrimental effects of excessive adult supervision of children written my professor someone or other (forgot the name of the writer). It showed that there is a balance so the mother has to be watch out for their child but they also need to do their own thing to. It is difficult to decide.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi connor,what you say makes sense.a mother does need her own life.it's just really difficult when you have kids, and they may be in harm's way.i do plan on doing things for myself...writing is one of them.it's a changing of a season of sort-going from toddlers and young teens to adults.i appreciate yur input, and taking the time to read and comment, and i will remember what the professor said.my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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