Meaningful Relationships, Meaningful Lifeಮಾದರಿ

We live in the age of delegation parenting and sadly it starts very early. We can too easily reduce our impact as moms to simply getting our kids into the "right" institutions. There is no "right" institution that will ever replace the value of your relationship with your own child! You, Mom, will teach life lessons to your children that will impact their lives far more than any school.

The mission statement at my children’s school includes "Excellence in relationships." That sounds beautiful. How would you describe an excellent relationship? On the surface, an excellent relationship sounds like something peaceful, supportive, encouraging, loving, and stress-free.

But let me give you a different definition of an excellent relationship. It is a relationship that survives angry outbursts, selfishness, envy, hostility, and disappointment. A relationship that is committed through the mountain tops of life as well as the valleys. A relationship that keeps love at the center, which according to 1 Peter 4:8, “covers a multitude of sins.”

I think you are demonstrating "excellence in relationships" when you can look your child in the eyes and tell them that you love them even after their impulsivity and anger has literally wrecked your day. It is "excellent" when you can endure your teenager's selfish behavior, blow up in anger, admit that you should not have lost your temper, try to deliver an effective consequence, and then face the same problem the next day.

Most moms I know love their kids excellently. They love through the tempers, the selfishness, and the disappointments. However, these moms may not recognize that what they are doing is building the kingdom of God and giving a lifelong gift to their children.

Reflection Question: How can you reframe current relational struggles with your child as opportunities to demonstrate love?