This week, one child had the puking bug, the other had an ear infection, and the third was injured. All needed my attention, a cup of water, a tissue, a bottle, a pillow, a listener, a waitress, a maid, all at the same time. I’m not super woman people, I can only do one thing at a time, I blurt out. That’s when it dawns on me… no one said these parenting days would be full of rainbows and skittles, good behavior, and non-puking kids. It will have days and nights that seem endless. There will be sleep deprivation. There will be frustration. There will be tears. That’s when I wondered, why don’t parents take vows upon having children? Today I wrote one for all you mothers out there:
I mother, take you (child’s name), to be my blessed son/daughter. With deepest joy I welcome you into our family. So Christ is loving towards me, I too, will always treat you with love and respect. I commit my days and nights to you, knowing that you will need my affirmation, tenderness, and affection to grow and thrive. I promise to bring you up under the love and admonition of Jesus Christ. In all I do and say, I will strive to point you to Him as the headship of our home.
I mother, will make ever effort to respect your father. By God’s strength, I will demonstrate to you what a faithful wife I am your daddy.
I mother, will be determined to be a good steward of my days, time, finances, and household responsibilities. Ever honoring God’s guidance by His Spirit through the Word, and so throughout life, no matter what may lie ahead of us, I pledge to you my life, dear child, as a loving and faithful mother.
In sickness and in health, in terrible twos and dreadful tween and teen years, I pledge to you my love and faithfulness. You are so very precious to me, dear child.
When I lose my temper, say and do hurtful things, I promise to ask you for my forgiveness. I will strive to ever keep our relationship pure, current, and welcoming. No matter where and when discipline is needed, I will strive make grace and love abound that much more. Where discipline is needed, I promise to treat you with the kindness of a close friend.
You are my child, and I devote myself to your nurturing, guiding, kissing, hugging, reading of books, sharing of stories, exchanging of giggles, even into your twenties. I love you, sweet child. I vow my life to you, how ever long that may be!
Thanks for visiting!