What does being the best Mom have to do with the flu? 

My best Mom moment happened recently when the flu descended upon us.  Well, it landed on me, thankfully, it hit only me.  Boy oh boy though, it did caused some life change to occur.  Let me explain …..

 

It laid me on my back and caused me to completely lose seven days of my life.  Seven days!  Hours that went on without end as I stared at the ceiling above me and felt so horrible that not only could I not lift my head, but I didn’t even care to watch TV, read, or do anything productive.  In other words, for me it was torture.

This is the second time I’ve ever had the flu in my life.  The first time was the week after I married Superman.  For better or for worse, right?  I don’t typically get sick but when I do – I make it count.  I quarantined myself in our spare room for days so the rest of my family wouldn’t catch it.  For days all I could do was sleep and think. Think and sleep.  I was forced to simply just be. 

I guess because I knew Mother’s Day and my son’s wedding were approaching, my thoughts were consumed about my life as a Mom during this time of solitude.  My thoughts were whirling:  My daughter is already a tenth grader and my son is getting married in a few months.  Where did the time go?  Oh, if I could only go back and do things differently.  I certainly haven’t been the best Mom in my eyes.  If only I could have some do-overs.

When your kids are small and life moves so quickly, you feel as if those days go on forever, that they will last forever.  They don’t.  When your children grow older, it’s hard to accept the fact that those younger years have come and gone and you have a new season of life now with your older children.  Like you might, I have many regrets as a Mom: decisions made in fear, unwarranted anger, letting time slip through my hands too easily, and words left unsaid.  Not being the best Mom I could have been. Maybe it was the sickness but as I mulled on this, I cried a few tears wishing there was a way I could get a second chance to relive the last few years and fix some of the mistakes I definitely made as a Mom.  In the midst of my thoughts, God allowed me to realize …..

No, going back isn’t the answer.  God has allowed my kids to grow up in His image to love and serve him.  They are both very strong, loving, kind, well-rounded people.  They are completely both very amazing human beings that I am very proud of. 

It was as if God had me in a position during my flu illness this week where I could not escape what He wanted me to process.   An amazing thing happened….

I now have a renewed commitment to give my family all that I have each and every day and to give younger women hope and encouragement to do the same for their families.  In this way, being sick truly helped me slow down and gain encouragement from the One who gives it best.

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long.  Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever.  So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.  2 Corinthians 4: 17-18

I hope the following list encourages you to truly enjoy your life, no matter the stage of it, and not look back.  It’s a list I want to continue to live by no matter what.

 

1. No one will innocently trust me with all of their heart more than my children
2. I must value the sacred trust they have in me and never take it for granted. 
3. I must always keep my promises
4. I must start each day with renewal from Christ and keep His word hidden in my heart
5. I must never take for granted the gift of another day but take every advantage of the moments that each day brings
6. I must remember to take care of myself so that I can take care of my family the very best  that I can
7. There will always be changes happening so I mustn’t be sad but thankful that they are possible
8. May I always speak truth, love, and character instead of unrighteous anger
9. No matter how bad life seems, there is always a rainbow

I hope this serves as a reality check for you so that a seven day hiatus isn’t necessary for the Lord to get your attention like he did mine.  Take heart and know that God is there.  He sees you.  He knows the hard work you daily give to your family.  Don’t lose heart.  It is important.  You are important even when the mundane seems never-ending.  And most importantly, remember that this too shall pass because weeping may come for a night, but joy comes in the morning (even when the nights are long, the morning will eventually come).

No, I’m not the World’s Best Mom as compared to other Moms out there, but I can now be the best Mom that God created me to be for my kids, and that’s just fine with me.

Enjoy this hilarious video from one of my favorite comedians.

View Mom video here

What would you add to my best Mom list?

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