Will the REAL Mommy please stand up?

May I have your attention please?
Will the REAL Mommy please stand up?

Coz' I'm you're Mama, yes I'm the real Mama.
All you other mean mamas are just imitating.
So won't the nice Mommy, please stand up
Please stand up, please stand up?


Okay, okay. Back to reality. So I'm no rapper. And I should probably never attempt to rap (you can ask Bryan!). I don't listen to Eminem, nor have I ever, really. I have eaten M&M's before--does that count? But can anyone else out there relate to my remix of Slim Shady?

Let's be real here for a moment. To all the parents out there--did anyone ever tell you how hard it is to be a parent? Now, don't get me wrong and don't misunderstand--we would never trade our babies for anything in the world! But the truth is that its hard to be a parent.

As Josiah turned 3 back in October, our already talkative boy began asking even more probative questions and making more observations about life. Some of these in-depth thought patterns have been, quite frankly, refreshing! To see his heart unfold before our eyes has truly been one of the greatest joys as a parent. Those seasoned parents out there know what's coming next. There is always a flip-side. ALWAYS. Along with Josiah's increasing ability to clearly communicate his thoughts and feelings comes his ability to point out when Mommy is not living up to the standard I adhere to for him.

Let's have a go at a reenactment.

Mommy roles out of bed, tired and grumpy. (This is pretty accurate. For those who know me best, I am definitely NOT a morning person).

Entering the scene is a grumpy toddler, who like his mommy is not a morning person. (Don't you love how the Lord will give us children just like us in so many ways to truly refine our character! YIKES!)

Sesame street. Breakfast. Coffee. All must haves.

Baby #2 down for nap. Toddler #1 full speed energy.

Now here's where things can go awry.

Mommy thinking about how much nicer it would be to be in a cozy bed.
Toddler wants full attention.
Mommy thinking about how she needs a break, all the while being short and impatient.
Toddler becomes increasingly demanding.
Mommy begins acting on her flawed thinking, starts lecturing toddler about who knows what, and then...

"Mommy, please be nice to me!"

OUCH.

Yeah, it hurts to have our flaws pointed out to us. Especially by our own children. But Josiah was so right. On that particular morning, I had become so inward focused and in the flesh, that I couldn't even see beyond myself. I was no longer walking by the fruit of the Spirit, but I was being ruled by selfishness and rudeness.

Isn't it often easy to sit back and judge what you would do in a situation, until you are actually living it? Because let me tell you, I've definitely had my moments. I've had my days where I've continued to decide to do the wrong thing, where I've utterly failed as a parent.

But in that moment, I had a decision to make. I could decide to continue being rude and impatient with my son, or let the "real mommy, please stand up." The Mommy that God has called me to be: one who walks in the grace of God and who daily depends on the Holy Spirit--the Mommy that isn't afraid to admit to being wrong in front of my children or to say I'm sorry. Not a Mommy who is just striving for perfection or striving to make my behavior acceptable and my actions bound by rules, but a Mommy who is humble enough to admit that I am often wrong, that I too sin, that I need Jesus just as much as my children do to change my heart. And isn't that really a greater gift for Josiah in the end? For Josiah to see that we ALL fall short, even Mommy and Daddy. And it's just another opportunity to tangibly teach Josiah about the Gospel--that Jesus is REAL and only He has the power to save and change me.