Between You And God #22

Dear God, My mom is making me wear a hat and mittens or else I have to stay inside. Does she not realize how dumb this looks to my friends?

Something happens to a woman when she becomes a mother. Normal people who sneeze and cough suddenly become “unsafe” because they might make her children sick. Stairs look steeper, bikes look more dangerous, and the bark chips under the playground swings don’t look thick enough. The woman is now a mom—in charge of making sure that her children stay safe.

As kids get older, though, moms don’t always realize that their sons and daughters are able to make good decisions themselves to stay safe and healthy. You might have a great sense of when it’s safe to ride your bike to school, walk to a friend’s house, or stay out in the cold. Most moms have provided good food and warm clothes for their kids for so long that they forget that kids can also make smart decisions for themselves.

Realize that your mom is only trying to protect you, even if it comes on a little too strong sometimes. Try to negotiate what is healthy and helpful to your mom, and what is workable and not embarrassing to you. There may be no need for wearing mittens or having to stay in all day, but maybe a warm coat is in order.

Just remember—the fact that you’re still here means your mom’s done a good job so far, right? The Lord has given you a mom who cares for you. Because he cares for you too!

How about You?

What would your mom like you to do that you do not want to do? Can you talk about it together and find a compromise? Does understanding why she’s asking you to do it help a little?

God Says . . .

She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. Proverbs 31:21