My Child Loves Jesus So I Must be Doing Something Right
By Rebecca Hale
@rebecca_hale_writes
Parenting can be very overwhelming, especially with all the information available to us in this time of Google and mom groups on social media. I can hardly open the internet without being bombarded by pictures of healthy foods displayed beautifully on bamboo plates and lists of activities I should be doing with my baby right now if I ever want her to be prepared for Kindergarten. The immediate access and constant flow of information can cause many parents to feel like we are constantly drowning in statistics and never ending to-do lists. I’m constantly wondering if I’m doing enough for my kids and worrying about everything from bug bites to screen time. I’m so quick to take every “failure” as a sign that I’m failing as a mother, without also valuing the little victories.
I have a beautiful and wild little boy. He’s my world, but he turns church into a circus and fun family activities into battlegrounds. I often find myself locked in a power struggle with his strong willed personality. When I keep having to carry him out of the chapel kicking and screaming, see him hit his baby sister, or hear his angry protests for more TV, I can’t help but worry that I’m failing this son of God who was placed in my care. Even though I feel my mind clogged with all kinds of worries ranging in significance, my biggest question is whether I am really leading him to Christ, or if I’m just leading him down unknown paths. I started praying to know if I was doing a good enough job with my kids, specifically with my toddler. It was a general question referring to all my many concerns. I almost expected a direct rebuke to prove how bad of a mother I was rather than reassurance. In the weeks that followed, I began to notice something in my son that had probably always been there; his love for Jesus.
One Sunday as we sang the opening hymn in church, my son randomly began chanting in a sing-song voice, “I love Jesus!” Suddenly he started asking to watch videos about Jesus, and I was more than happy to oblige with Bible videos and episodes of our new favorite show, The Chosen. When we hung a picture of the Savior in his bedroom, he cheerfully exclaimed, “Jesus!” and loves pointing to the picture on his wall. Anytime he sees a picture of Jesus, whether it be on a bookmark or in a church book, he insists on carrying it everywhere. It seems like almost every day, this little boy would surprise me by expressing his pure love for our Redeemer.
My response to my sincere prayer was having my eyes opened to my son’s love for the Savior, and it really humbled me. Rather than leading me to some complex answer, my son’s innocent and simple relationship with Jesus was what God knew I needed. He showed me that despite my insecurities, I was doing something right. Successful motherhood isn’t measured by the number of milestones achieved by a certain age or by the amount of extra-curricular activities. It doesn’t depend on how many crafts I do with my kids or whether or not I homeschool.
It can be hard not to get too caught up in the bustle of our surroundings especially as parents with so much vying for our attention. The most important thing we can do is to simplify our lives and point our kids to Jesus. We try to do this in our home by reading books, singing songs, and just talking about Jesus.
The answer to my initial question was a resounding yes! I am leading my son to Christ. Of course there will be bumps along the way, and he may choose to go down a different path, but I am doing my best. Seeing my son through new eyes, and being able to see his love for the Savior, was the answer to my prayer and now I am able to see the pure light of Christ shining through. Rather than focusing on the challenges of toddlers and motherhood, I have been trying to focus on the love that this little boy has for Jesus Christ, his Savior.
Our kids really are listening when we teach them about Christ, even if it doesn’t seem like it. I am comforted knowing that one of the most important things I could ever teach my children, that Jesus Christ lives and loves them, is already starting to sink in. I know that the Holy Ghost is the one confirming these truths to my son’s little heart, but I get to provide an environment where the Spirit can teach him. We really are just tools in the Master’s hands as we teach our kids what He wants them to know. As my kids continue to grow in their knowledge of and their love for the Savior, I hope I’ll be able to focus on my successes as a mother rather than focusing on my insignificant failures.
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