Growing Up.

There are so many wonderful things about being a mom. And then there are the moments that make you so extremely proud but stab your heart a little at the same time. Those times when your child accomplishes a milestone and you are so proud, but at the same time it shows you how much they are growing up. Their first time holding a bottle, their first steps, their first words... you know what I'm talking about.

I had one of those moments today.

Madi can officially dress herself completely. Not just shoes or shorts, but head to toe. I don't know if I have been holding her back by not letting her put her own shirt on, or if she just decided today was the day to do it, but that was the final step in her dressing herself.

I am so incredibly proud of her and love that she is growing up, but at the same time, those feelings are juxtaposed with a twinge of sadness that every day she needs me just a little bit less.

Now, this is not meant to be a melancholy post. It just came across my mind today that I (and my husband, of course) am teaching my daughter the life skills and lessons she needs to be a successful adult. Obviously getting dressed is highly important (and looking at some people, underrated) but so are the bigger things that we need to teach our children.

How to love God more than anything else. How to love others. How to serve. Give. Be confident, yet humble. Be fair. wise. hardworking. trustworthy. honest. helpful. kind. And many more things we wish for our children.

When I asked Madi how she learned to put her shirt on all by herself, she said, "You showed me, Mommy. You showed me and taught me how." Everything that we show them, by word or deed, is stored in their memory bank for later use. As parents, we have to make sure that we are teaching them the right things. That we are teaching them how to be like Jesus.

How do I respond when I am frustrated? Excited? Proud of myself? How do I handle daily tasks? Every response I give in every situation will be modeled by my daughter when she experiences something similar. (Trust me, she has modeled some things I wish she hadn't.) When she looks at me, does she see the things I mentioned above? Would she say her mommy is loving, kind, hardworking, and like Jesus? I have to guard myself and be aware of how I act so that every day, as Madi gets more and more independent, I can be confident that when I release her into the world she will not falter. She will be a strong, healthy, Jesus-like star, shining like a light in her generation.

Anyway, just some ramblings from a mom whose little girl can get dressed by herself. At least we have one vital skill down. :)

much love,

bc

Micah 6:8 What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

PS - Sorry for all the rabbit trails. My mind works in strange ways sometimes. And no, husband, it's not just because I'm pregnant.