Every Life-Giving Mom faces daily choices of how she is going to respond to the struggles of her child. Sometimes these choices are split-second decisions.
When Rachel was going into her freshman year of high school she wanted to go out for her soccer team. I wanted to help her. I was experiencing my own sense of loss of my firstborn flying out of my homeschool nest into her first public school adventure.
I began to train with Rachel. We ran the path together — the same trail that we had nicknamed “the butterfly path” because the butterflies landed on our hats and shoulders. The butterflies represented a new beginning. As we ran together our relationship strengthened.
The evening before soccer try-outs I could tell that Rachel was upset. What was my clue? Well she came to me in tears.
“Mom, we have to run the mile tomorrow. It’s my last chance to make the team,” she said. Reading between the lines, I knew what she was feeling… insecure… alone… afraid to fail…wanting to be accepted.
“What do you want me to do Rachel? Do you want me to come to practice?” I asked.
She nodded “yes” as she wiped her tears. Her red puffed up face reminded me of the cute little toddler that had disappeared in a grown-up teenage body.
The next day I showed up beside the track and smiled at my daughter as she prepared to run. Then, as she came around the track for her final lap, I listened to the coach calling out the time. I knew she wasn’t going to make it.
What should I do? I felt helpless on the sidelines watching as she slowed down even more…What was I going to do? What would you do if it was your daughter?
I will share what I chose to do in my next blog of A Life-Giving Mom. As I close this post I want you to think about the power of influence that you have as a Life-Giving Mom. Your choices matter. Your choices impact the lives of the next generation. Your choices impact their choices.
Inspired by this article? Check out more by Sue in 3 Things Every Life-Giving Mom Needs
Sue Detweiler, mom of 6, author of 9 Traits of a Life-Giving Mom believes that it is possible to take down the super-mom facade long enough to transform the hidden places of a mom’s heart. Sue admits that she like most moms, has moments where her own unresolved issues come to the surface. What do we do with our own imperfections? Join Sue as she blogs about becoming a Life-Giving Mom by replacing your worst with God’s best. You can connect with Sue at http://www.suedetweiler.com/.
God cares about all the details of our lives! We can come to Him, like my daughter came to me and ask for HELP! We all need it – every day.