I couldn’t help, but laugh at what I found.

I had just had a conversation with a friend about how quickly our kids grow, and here I sat looking at a wall outlet in my daughter’s room. A wall outlet neatly plugged with covers. Covers meant to keep my daughter from inserting foreign objects into the outlet: covers meant to protect her from harm.

But, here’s the thing. My girl . . . she’s ten.  She’s  old enough now to know how to safely use outlets. She’s old enough now that she no longer needs those covers to protect her. But yet, they are still there.

As I struggled to remove the covers, I found myself expressing my thanks that our family has reached this stage in life where we no longer need outlet covers. But, at the same time, I found the task bittersweet.

Much of mothering is like that isn’t it? We spend our days caring for the needs of our kids, setting boundaries, implementing consequences, and trying to speak truth into their hearts. We do this day in and day out and often ask ourselves if we are doing this mothering thing right. Have we’ve done too little? Have we done too much? Or have we done exactly what was needed?

I think it is normal to ask yourself those questions, but I think it is also important to remember one thing. God doesn’t make mistakes. Those kids of yours? God knew you were the mother they needed, and each day He gives you an opportunity to help them grow into the people He created them to be. How will you make the most of that opportunity today?

Choose today to show patience and kindness. Choose today to use words that build others up instead of tearing them down. Choose today to extend grace, to help others without complaining, to do the right thing even when it’s hard. Choose to make the most of today with not only your kids, but with everyone God brings across your path today.

Today is a gift. Hold tightly to it and joyfully make the most of it.

https://images.app.goo.gl/VgJxJV2ocspxprvQ7