This past week, I got one of those phone calls. You know the kind – you hesitate to respond until well into the conversation because you just don’t know what this person’s agenda might be. This woman is a fellow mom and her son didn’t get to participate in an after school activity when all of the slots filled. What’s that have to do with me? The teacher in charge is a good friend. “Is he always so rude?”
Direct. Yes. To the point. Yes. But does he back down? No. And apparently that’s all it took to be really rude simply because junior didn’t get his way. And to make bad matters worse, the teen was confrontational, even in Mom’s version. This is something she expected to end well?
Still, I understand her urge to smooth the way for her son. Today, I found out that my son had been passed over for a special field trip. With only 10 places available, the teacher had to pick and choose. I didn’t know what criteria she used but my son was left out.
My Predatory Mom instinct kicked in and I had to fight the urge to jump into the fray and make things right. And it’s a good thing on many levels. My son apparently didn’t even want to go. “Looks boring.”
What does this have to do with Faith and prayer?
It is much, much easier NOT to jump in if I have Faith in God.
I have to believe that He has a plan both for me and for my son.
I have to understand that everything is part of that plan even if I don’t know how or why.
I have to accept that God’s plan doesn’t mean that things will be easy. There will be times that my son has to struggle. This struggle is part of his own Faith journey. It is part of what will build him into the man he will one day become.
Don’t think that I’m actually good at this. Sometimes I have to make a phone call. “Stop me! I’m tempted to do a crazy mom thing!” Fortunately, God has supplied me with a steady group of friends who intervene when needed.
And it doesn’t mean that I won’t step in when the need arises, but first I have to let my son try. And I have to pray. After all, it’s a great way to keep busy while I see if my son can sort it out on his own. Because his learning to cope is probably a really big part of God’s plan.
After all, God loves us both just as He loves that other mother and son. And that’s something to remember this Valentine’s Day.
–SueBE
6 comments
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February 14, 2012 at 7:29 pm
loristrawn
Excellent! Once again you prove what a great mother you are. Happy Valentine’s Day, SueBE! I’m proud to call you my friend.
February 14, 2012 at 7:59 pm
suebe
Lori,
I’ll let you remind me of what a great job I do the next time I totally goof up. Honestly, it is the most humbling job ever. I’m just fortunate that several good friends have my back. Thank you for being one of them!
–SueBE
February 17, 2012 at 2:28 am
rhcwilliams
This post says so much on so many different levels, SueBE – about parenthood, faith, life in general. My favorite line is, “I have to accept that God’s plan doesn’t mean that things will be easy.” This is deep and I often forget it, getting annoyed when things don’t go smoothly. Way to tell it, girl!
February 17, 2012 at 3:03 am
suebe
Ruth,
“I have to accept that God’s plan doesn’t mean that things will be easy” is a lesson I have to relearn on a daily basis. And today was filled with lessons from the beginning. Can we say unexpected trip to the vet? Oh, the joy!
–SueBE
February 20, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Leslie J. Wyatt
I wish I didn’t relate so well to your post 🙂 The fact that each person, even my children have their own journeys which I can only view from the outside and be a companion to, is still a difficult thing for me. I so want to fix every bump in the road. Thanks for the great reminder!
February 20, 2012 at 4:14 pm
lorihtursue
Leslie,
It really does help to have a “sanity friend,” someone who can quietly and calmly talk you down. I’m fortunate to have several friends in my life who are top notch at this. I bet you do, too!
–SueBE