At some point, somebody in your life has probably used that very cliched phrase-- "Don't hide your light under a basket".
The saying actually comes from a verse in the bible...
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
...and my mother used it religiously. She used it when my middle school friends started making fun of my good grades, and I intentionally failed a test to prove I wasn't a nerd. She used it when I slacked off at swim practice so I could swim in the same lane as the boy I had a crush on. She used it when, after just one semester at my dream college, I begged to transfer to a state school because I was homesick.
When I caught G on camera recently hiding her beautiful little face under that toy tub, it got me thinking. How will I teach her how to let her light shine as she grows older? How can I encourage her to be her best, do her best, reach for her best at each and every turn? How should I react when she does something silly, or stupid, or just plain wrong to impress somebody?
Sigh.
Sometimes the overwhelming challenges of parenting are so... well, overwhelming! I get to thinking about the future, and I go berserk. I get panicky. I think about her first day of kindergarten, and the hurtful words children say. I think about her first true heartbreak, and my heart breaks for that pain. I think about her graduating high school and going off to college, and my heart breaks for me. And don't even mention the idea of her dating or getting married to my husband, he'll bring out the shotgun (you know, the one every father of every girl buys the minute he learns he's having a daughter?). It's daunting.
What skills can I give her to navigate all that lies ahead, the gritty, the dirty, the down-right evil, when all she is right now is soft, sweet innocense?
Two things...
I can show her God's example, and I can set my own example in His path. It's about all any parent can do. He is the one, true, shining beacon we have in our lives.
That, and a good flashlight.
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What a heart warming and thought provoking post.
Simply loved the cute picture and the wonderful examples you used to explain this age old phrase.
Keep up the good work Lizzy :)
Thank you for dropping by my blog. Let's stay in touch.
Cheers!!
That picture is just too cute!! Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!
~Working Mommy
i'm am terrified of all the things your wrote about on your post, for both of my children.
luke has such a tender heart. it's makes me cry to think about how cruel kids can be and how much of a bawl-bag i'm going to be on his first day of school.
chloe is going to be the tough one, i can already tell. BUT, i'm going to have to tell her about periods, pimples, make up, boys, mean girls, and all that scary stuff. i'm not as worried about her feelings as i am her brother's. or mine.
bottom line: being a mom is hard. i thought the newborn phase was the worst and that it was never going to end. surprise, surprise! it's over and now i'm looking at the rest of their lives and wondering how in the world i'm going to do this. does anyone have a paper bag i can use?!
You worry about the same things I do . . . .
I honestly don't think we "teach" children somethings. I think if we practice what we preach, and lead by example after a while they will fall into line eventually. Can we keep them from making all those little mistakes we did as youths, no. They hurt, like scraping up your knee, but we lived, learned and grew from it.
Some of us had the kindness and love to help them grow, some saw wrong and did the opposite. We all want whats best for the little ones, that is for sure. They have to live a bit. Its our job to tell them whats right, act that way, and be there to catch them if they have a little fall.
Great post. Trust in yourself.
Unfortunately there's not much you can do to protect her from the evils of the world such as name calling and social ostracism by her fellow school mates. All you can do is be there for her when she hurts. There's no doubt in my mind that you will be a wonderful support to her in the coming years! Beautiful post by the way!
You always write such super posts!!
You're like the postess with the mostess!
What an awesome post! I think you hit the nail on the head, be the example you want her to be.
Funny thing, my dad GAVE my husband a shotgun for Christmas when I was about 6 months pregnant with Ivy....
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I'm now following you. You also have a great blog.
About that passage in Matthew...God has amazing ways of talking with us.
I had a similar conversation with Sean the other day and actually got teary-eyed thinking about the future and how quickly these girls are already growing. He tried to remind me that I have a few years before I have to start letting go and letting her live and learn without me always there. So for now, I'm focusing on right now, and I feel confident that we'll just know what's best for our girls when the time comes! Plus, you cannot go wrong when your sights are set on our Heavenly Father. (Love the G pic!)
I think about these things frequently. I am due to have a little girl this coming April and I am starting to ge to get overwhelmed with all that she might run into in regards to peer pressure etc that for some reason is not as harsh for boys (my first is a 2 1/2 year old boy). I love the photo, so cute
It's so hard to know if we're doing the right thing at the right time, or if what we do is "enough". I have one very successful and delightful daughter and one amazingly fun and social boy, but I also have a frighteningly troubled teen son who struggles every day with the world and everything in it, so who knows? We just do the best we can and spend the rest of the time praying!
Oh boy, do I EVER drive myself bonkers thinking and worrying about my daughter when she gets older. The same things you listed. It just scares me and I too have come to the same conclusion. Have God in their lives. He will guide them! I feel if I do that, it will keep my child as everyone elses into a better place in their lives and their heart.
Thank you for this post. It almost feels like it was Gods way of telling me that my feelings are right. Follow God!!
i think we lways wonder if we will raise our children right. i constantly wonder if i'm setting a good example to my kids, especially as they get to the preschool age. great post, friend!
Wow! Your post really hit home with me, even though my daughter is only seven months old, I find myself worrying about that sort of thing even now.
My husband often jokes of cleaning his shot gun on the porch when she goes on her first date. It definitely must be a dad thing! :)
I love your blog, being a working mom myself, it's great knowing that I am not the only one out there trying to do it all (have the career, take care of the house and be a wonderful mom) and not always succeeding at it. Thanks!
This post really hits home! It made me tear up a bit.
What an amazing mother you have. Now you know just how hard it was for her to tell you to stay at dream college & not come home. What a wonderful woman.
I constantly wonder the same thing... how do you teach your child to be proud of who they are no matter what??? How do you teach them to be moral and good? I haven't read the responses yet, but I shall do so to gain ideas (yeah, nap time is now! Hope it lasts so I can read). Thank you so much for this post!
this was written wonderfully and beautifully - great job!
She is adorable!! Thanks for visiting my blog! ;)
I love this post. My heart breaks just thinking about those exact same things. We can't protect our kids from all the pain of the world but we can be there when they fall down to pick them up.
I always sing "This Little Light of Mine" to the kids. It is such a sweet song.
And now I am regretting reading this. I read it while cuddling my little baby and gazing into her face. I thought about my adventurous son, and decided to change the subject. I just have to be the best person I can be, and teach my children correct principles and the love of God, and pray that they will listen to their old mum and choose the right.
I totally agree! How can I protect them from all the bad yet let them spread their wings?? Scary!
Excellent resolution. Reading your post got me thinking too and I thought to myself - what a huge task this is! Then I got to the end and saw your resolution. I breathed a bit easier then.
You're right - It's about all I can do really and pray a lot!
I'm with you all the way! Always thinking about how to teach the valuable lessons. Looks like you are on the right path!
I am so glad I found your blog, I really enjoy your posts. I have to start writng better posts.
I always think about what the future holds for Anthony. I think about all the wonderful moments he will experience and then also the pain he will feel
Having him is going to make me a better person, I know that I have to start modeling how to live a good life. I know that he will only learn by watching me.
Actually blogged a little about this today, in regards to parenting. I think every day how I can be the best mom possible and it is a huge reason I struggle with working too. I think we have been programmed to think that in order to raise intelligent kids, you have to stay home. :( That is what I feel pressured to do anyways. I would love to stay home SOMEDAY but for now, I gotta do what I gotta do. :)
Beautiful! I just loved reading this & especially after the day we had yesterday. We are starting to tred in these waters. One of K's friends convinced her to get off at the wrong bus stop & come over to her house. I about had a heart attack!
This world we live in is ugly and dirty. ALL you can do is YOUR BEST every day! Keep on keeping on!
I am visiting from Theta Mom's blog. This is a sweet post.
thanks for stopping by!
What a sweet post. Your mother sounds like a wonderful mom:)
I love your wonderful blog! It is always so thought provoking. Aside from the monumental task of keeping our children safe, happy, healthy and loved-we are also charged with helping them to be the very best that they can be! It can be incredibly stressful! I guess worrying about Grace growing up to be a good person makes me a good mommy.
What a sweet post and also makes you think.
As moms we can do only as much. As long as we do what we preach, give them lots of praise and support they will find their own way.
Just thinking about it shows what a great mom you are and the rest will follow.
Thank you for stopping by
I hear you. I worry all the time about getting my daughter to shine her light. Being a parent is hard, and that was a fantastic post.
Come and visit me on sunday because there will be something for you on my blog!
What a beautiful post.
It is ironic that I was raised by old traditions that preached almost the opposite. I was always asked to be quiet, to be modest in my accomplishments, and never let my ambitions exceed my place in the world. And yet I would grow up to be the girl who would shine her light everywhere possible.
I would like to think all we can really do is make our children feel loved and safe. And give them guidance as best we can. Sometimes the rest is graciously out of our hands.