So many of us feel like we do so much for our families, yet oftentimes we feel unappreciated, as if no one is watching, and certainly no one cares. The enemy loves to discourage us with this lie, to hit us at the core of our vulnerability, our love for our children. I come across instances like this quite a bit, this time though, I didn’t listen..
“Mommmm, I can’t see”, he said to me last month as he is bobbing his head up and down and dodging side to side. I was blocking his view of the T.V. He was racing against his cousin, who sat in his own room about 40 miles away. See, my son plays sports nearly year round. Baseball, then football, then baseball again, all while balancing a full school load. This semester he worked his tail off in both academics and sports and did really well. We’re very proud! So, for the next couple of months while on a hiatus from anything even remotely athletic, he’s earned video games after school (provided homework and chores are done).
I kept doing my thing, climbing up the chair, reaching high to where the wall meets the ceiling. Then coming down, moving the chair two feet over, and climbing back up. I was putting Christmas lights up in his room to make it festive for the holiday season. I was excited! He was..completely oblivious, except to the fact that I was getting in his way. Not even 9 years old and already showing his teenage side at times.
I kept doing what I was doing, hell bent on adding holiday cheer to his bedroom. I had already decorated the whole house, and had just enough lights left over to go around his room one time. He wasn’t getting out of this. It took longer than I thought because the darn tape wasn’t holding up, but once I got the string of lights to stay, it was glorious. I went out to the driveway to see if they could be seen from there, this.is.awesome! If he ever notices, he would so love this!
I convinced myself that it’s fine that he didn’t even have a clue what I did for him, and I meant it. He earned his video games, and R&R time to kick back and relax. Someday he will see the extra miles I go through for him. But not today-today, he is an 8 year-old boy, with 8 year-old boy things in mind. And that’s okay.
Later, I waited at the edge of his bed while he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed. He came in to the room, jumped into his bed, cracked some jokes as he does every night, we talked some, and then said our prayers. Immediately afterwards, he opened his eyes and looked up. Several seconds later I realized that he was looking at the lights on the wall. He then locks eyes with me and sits up. “Did you do this?” he asks. “Yes, honey, I did. I put them up while you were playing video games.” Suddenly his countenance changes completely, from a look of wonder to one of gratitude. I could see it in his eyes, and could tell there was a smile starting to form on his lips. “You did this for me, mama?” “You’re the greatest, I love you!” Then, as any warm blooded human mother would, I just melted. We hugged and said our ‘I love yous’ and kissed good night.
There was no better way to end my day than with a note of gratitude from my little boy, who when he chooses to embrace his only 8 years on this planet, can make me feel like the best mom in the world.
As mothers we don’t do things for gratification. We’d be fools to think that our kiddos will stop to appreciate all of our efforts, big or small. They are just not mature enough to get it yet. As a Mom who follows Christ, I know that while my boy may not see what I do, my maker does. He sees my struggles, my pains and sacrifices, whether that means missing out on certain things to provide them for our kiddos, or merely just going the extra mile to decorate their rooms for the holidays. No work is too big or too small, and our Lord sees it. In due time, so will our kids.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9
Moms don’t always get the instant appreciation we desire, but the bible teaches in Galations that we will reap harvest if we don’t give up. If what you are doing is from your heart, it will make an impact. Maybe not right away, but someday, they will look up to you and say, “you did this for me mama?”, and in that moment you will remember that the Lord was there, He saw that you did good, and in due time you’ll reap your harvest.
Feeling Unappreciated
Erika says
Thank you for this, ♥ Blessings!