Thursday, July 17, 2008

Marriage....what is it?

This was a question recently posed to me by my youngest son (5). I realized that defining marriage to a 5 year old is tough. I proceeded to tell him that when a lady and a man love each other and want to be together forever, they get married in a church and tell everyone there and God that they will be together and love each other and then they may go on to have children. I wasn't sure I succeeded in my explanation but I gave it my best.

My son said to me later that day, "I'm going to marry you, mommy". Now, Scott happened to be around and he repeated this to his dad. Scott replied, I don't think I can let you do that. Mommy is my wife. Child #3 ran out of his room after his dad saying, "but daddy, you have to let me marry mommy." I tried to contain my smiles because to him, this was serious business.

How amazing to be loved and admired so much by your child. It is truly a little overwhelming!!

On Tuesday I was preparing to go to a small group meeting that is listening to some conference cd's from a Wholehearted Women's conference. My middle son asked, " Why do you have to go to this meeting? What are you going to do there?" I told him that I was going to be with these other moms and to learn how to be a better mom. He replied, "but you're already a good mom".

Once again, I was amazed at the love and admiration that my son has for me. I think because I see myself as such a flawed person. I am a sinner and so I know that I am capable of veering off of God's path and trying to make my own way. I see the errors of my ways and recognize how I may be failing. My boys, however, see the parts of me that I often cannot see myself. They choose the good moments, the fun and the times I get it right and remember that.

This is not a new idea. I have had conversations with my own mom about her shortcomings as a mom when we were growing up. She laments the mistakes she made and I remind her that I don't remember those things, I remember her sacrifice to be at my volleyball games. The little things she did to show us she loved us. I remember the good things.

How thankful I am that my boys can see the love I have for them even in the midst of my mistakes. How thankful I am that I have a Father in heaven who loves me so much that He made this possible. Thankful!!