A tribute to the best mother I know. With apologies to my own mom, who was a wonderful lady, I must give this award to my wife, Jodie. Let me tell you about her. What makes her a terrific mom isn’t the fact that she raised six children. Though, the fact she did this without going insane (At least I don’t think she’s insane), speak volumes.
For any young moms out there, let me give you some words of wisdom; advice about raising children I’ve gathered from watching Mrs. Jodie Peters. By no means do these few words encompass all there is to motherhood. Nor do they state all my wife has done in that regards. Just a few tidbits.
1. LOVE YOUR CHILDREN I hear so many young moms today disparaging motherhood. If that’s the way you’re going to be, I’ve got news for you, sweetheart– DON’T HAVE KIDS! At least, don’t go around trash-talking them, or talking like they’ve ruined your life. Have any of you heard moms do this? You’d think motherhood was akin to being sent to the Roman coliseum!
My wife loves being a mom. We had six kids and guess what? Here’s the only proof I have that she may be a tiny bit crazy– She wanted more! She loves her children. She loved raising them. She loved teaching them, nurturing them, being with them.
It goes without saying, but I guess it shouldn’t– My wife was an example of Jesus Christ before my children. That is the ultimate act of love. My wife’s love for our children blossomed in a willing sacrifice of her time and talents for them.
2. LET YOUR CHILDREN BE CHILDREN Jodie made this choice. It isn’t as easy as it sounds. There’s a ton of pressure out there to allow your children do things far beyond their young, immature abilities to handle.
Guess what? Children don’t belong in R rated movies. They don’t belong in PG-13 movies. Hey, Stupid Parents! The warning is there for a reason! Also, children don’t need access to every TV show, as if that is going to help them socialize and grow up to be mature adults.
When my kiddos were younger, there were some people (the ignorant) who mockingly referred to my family as the Brady Bunch, because my wife loved our kids enough to let them enjoy their childhood innocence. God bless her for realizing something– That’s part of being a mother. Children are not mini adults. They are children!
3. THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING. . .or is it “the proof is in the putting”? I never understood that saying anyways. Recently, I was out with a Pastor friend of mine. We were talking about families and the pastorate. He made the comment to me (and I paraphrase), “Jerry, you did something right. You’ve got great kids.”
Can I let you in on a little secret- Pastor’s kids are notorious for not being the best behaved. They are the inmates of the Parsonage; current monsters and future axe murderers. OK. I’m, exaggerating a bit. But I bet you all know some awful PK’s.
I have six great kids, ages 21 to somewhere in their 30’s. (Leave me alone. I’m lucky if I can remember how old I am). I’m proud of them all. Some of them are a little thick headed. Some of them have some growing up to do. Some of them have made some wrong decisions. They aren’t angels, nor are they the Brady Bunch. They are good kids, hard workers, and respected by all who know them.
And that, my friends, is the results of having the most wonderful mom in the world.
Okay. That’s it. Like I said, it’s not the complete dossier on Motherhood, just some things I’ve noticed over the years.
And to my wife I say, Thank you, Jodie. I love you.
Proverbs 31:28-31 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
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