When Your Heart Is About To Burst!
We don’t always get it right as parents!
Sometimes we are too strict, other times too lenient. Some days I have all the patience of a Saint, and other days I snap at the smallest things! Some days I feel like the world’s worst Mum and wonder how much my kids will need to pay in counselling when they are older!
But yesterday, yesterday was one of those days when you think to yourself “Maybe I’m not doing such a bad job!”
Yesterday our Gracie got baptised.
She has been planning it for a while with her youth leader at Church and she felt last night was the right time! Phil and I purposefully have not pressed the kids to get baptised, in fact, we have never brought it up at all! We wanted it to be the kids own decision with no pressure from Mum and Dad (of course I was praying, but they didn’t know that!)
Poor wee poppet was so nervous all day: What if no one prays for me? What if no one has a word for me? What if I stuff up what I want to say?
I think the biggest thrill for me, was that she asked me to baptise her! Not her Dad, not the Pastor, but me! Her old Mum who I’m sure she thinks is funny and old-fashioned and not part of the “Cool Mum Club” When she asked me a couple of months ago, I couldn’t hold back the tears and was completely blown away!
So the million dollar question was “Could I hold back the tears on the day?” And, of course, the answer was No, No I couldn’t! But that’s okay because to be honest it was pretty emotional for the whole of Team Strong!
It was an amazing night with so many of our family and friends coming out to support Grace. She was showered with love, and had some amazing words spoken over her.
We are just so super proud of Gracie taking this next step in her walk with God and we are so excited to see it all unfold! Yep, I am so proud, my heart is about to burst!
So on days when I am feeling a little less than the perfect Mum, I will look back at this blog, remember that you don’t get it right every time, but that’s ok God has her in the palm of His hand!
2 Comments
Eugene Moreau
I am writing this with a lump in my throat. Writing from your heart is where you touch us Kathy. Thank you for sharing this priceless experience with the rest of us who could not be there.
Gracie, you are an incredible young woman. Having seen you grow from a ‘wee tot’ to this vibrant young lady possessing the wisdom and ability to make such a long lasting, meaningful decision like being baptized… in your own time, is a reflection of both your character and your upbringing.
Phil & Kathy, I salute you on being examples of how to love, equip and release children into their own healthy identity in this world of confusion, peer pressure and dysfunction.
Kathy Strong
Awww, thanks Eugene!