As a mother, I love the precious little moments where you simply have to stop and smile.
They happen pretty regularly. They are truly one of the highlights of being a mother.
Moments when my heart is so full it could burst, filled with the joy of parenthood. If you are a parent, you'll understand.
I had one of those moments the other day.
Susie had been helping me in the kitchen (she's only 8, nearly 9, but one of the BEST helpers in the universe, I reckon. Yes, I am biased, but even still....), but she got called away to another job. So, I was left washing up with no-one to help me dry up.
Or, so I thought.
Until my little 2 year old, Tabitha, came up to where I was, grabbed a tea towel, and enthusiastically began to dry up!
I didn't ask her.
I didn't even show her how to do it.
She just did it, all of her own volition.
But, DID someone show her how to do it?
Well, yes, they DID! I showed her siblings how to help, and she watched ME drying up, and her SIBLINGS drying up, and she just copied them. She learnt by EXAMPLE.
I know it can work they other way, and I often tell my children to be careful what they do, because little eyes are watching. However, this was one of those heart-throb moments when you remember that they DO see the good, and they DO copy it, too!
Our role as a mother isn't just to correct and train, but it's also to be a good example. Not just in how to keep a house, but in our other behaviour, too.
If we are loving, affectionate, caring, tender, compassionate, helpful, and the many other things we SHOULD be, then there is a high chance of that good rubbing right off on our children. Only the Lord can do a true transforming work in their hearts, but He can use our good example as a means of drawing their hearts to Him. We are called to be Christlike, and little eyes are watching to see us put that into action.
So, whatever we do, day by day - whether it be something ordinary and mundane, or something more important - we must never underestimate the power of a good example.
They happen pretty regularly. They are truly one of the highlights of being a mother.
Moments when my heart is so full it could burst, filled with the joy of parenthood. If you are a parent, you'll understand.
I had one of those moments the other day.
Susie had been helping me in the kitchen (she's only 8, nearly 9, but one of the BEST helpers in the universe, I reckon. Yes, I am biased, but even still....), but she got called away to another job. So, I was left washing up with no-one to help me dry up.
Or, so I thought.
Until my little 2 year old, Tabitha, came up to where I was, grabbed a tea towel, and enthusiastically began to dry up!
I didn't ask her.
I didn't even show her how to do it.
She just did it, all of her own volition.
But, DID someone show her how to do it?
Well, yes, they DID! I showed her siblings how to help, and she watched ME drying up, and her SIBLINGS drying up, and she just copied them. She learnt by EXAMPLE.
I know it can work they other way, and I often tell my children to be careful what they do, because little eyes are watching. However, this was one of those heart-throb moments when you remember that they DO see the good, and they DO copy it, too!
Our role as a mother isn't just to correct and train, but it's also to be a good example. Not just in how to keep a house, but in our other behaviour, too.
If we are loving, affectionate, caring, tender, compassionate, helpful, and the many other things we SHOULD be, then there is a high chance of that good rubbing right off on our children. Only the Lord can do a true transforming work in their hearts, but He can use our good example as a means of drawing their hearts to Him. We are called to be Christlike, and little eyes are watching to see us put that into action.
So, whatever we do, day by day - whether it be something ordinary and mundane, or something more important - we must never underestimate the power of a good example.
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Galatians 6:9
What a wee pet!! That is so sweet, Caroline, and no wonder your heart was nearly bursting.
ReplyDeleteI have seen example working over and over and over again in the years since our first was born. But the most important, I'd say, is the example *I* give (or don't :/) in speaking gently and lovingly.
btw, I do NOT mean when I have to give a row. Sometimes, I have to raise my voice, and it would be silly not to. What I'm talking about is day-to-day tone.... Mum's tone sets the tone :)
Anne x