Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/87

Contributor - Freda Witteveen

Title - Women

Topic - Women

Any Supermoms out there? Supermom, of course, is the term used for mothers working full-time for pay outside the home, those women juggling their limited time with a job, husband, children, and a multitude of household chores that never seem to get done. What gets neglected most often in these cases when Supermom is also a Christian, is her personal devotion time and the time she has available to devote to church activities, even if she were to have any energy left to give.

This has been my experience at any rate in the last few months when I decided temporarily to take a full-time job until spring. I would come home from work just before suppertime, and too tired, and also often too cross, to go to the Bible Study group meeting that night. Personal devotion time, forget it, and don't think that this does not worry me. This situation has also been devastating to my responsibilities as writer and committee member for Pioneer. I pray that you will forgive my efforts of these few months, for I fear that they were not the best I could give.

Because May is the month when we celebrate the Christian home with the observance of Mother's Day, I have looked through my collection of favourite writings and included some for this page that may be an inspiration to you. The first is by Erma Bombeck, one of my favourites, called, "Favourite Child."

"Every mother has a favourite child. She cannot help it. She is only human. I have mine, the child for whom I feel special closeness, with whom I share a love that no one else could possibly understand.

"My favourite child is the one who was too sick to eat ice cream at his birthday party ... who had measles at Christmas ... who wore leg braces to bed because he toed in. She was the fever in the middle of the night, the asthma attack, the child in my arms in the emergency ward.

"My favourite child spent Christmas alone away from the family, was stranded after the game with the gas tank on 'E', lost the money for his class ring.

"My favourite child is the one who messed up the piano recital, misspelled "committee" in a spelling bee, ran the wrong way with the football, and had his bike stolen because he was careless.

"My favourite child is the one I punished for lying, grounded for insensitivity to other people's feelings, and informed he was a royal pain to the entire family.

"My favourite child slammed doors in frustration, cried when she didn't think I saw her, withdrew and said he could not talk to me.

"My favourite child always needs a haircut, had hair that wouldn't curl, had no date for Saturday, and a car that cost six hundred dollars to fix. My favourite child was selfish, immature, bad-tempered, and self-centred. She was vulnerable, lonely, unsure of what she was doing in this world and quite wonderful.

All mothers have their favourite child. It is always the same one: the one who needs you at the moment. Who needs your for whatever reason to cling to, to shout at, to hurt, to bug, to hug, to flatter, to reverse charges to, to unload on but mostly just to be there."

The next selection is a good reminder for us busy moms, that time passes so quickly and that childhood is gone in the blink of an eye.

To My Grown-Up Son (or Daughter)

My hands were busy through the day,

I didn't have much time to play.

The little games you asked me to,

. I didn't have much time for you.

I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook,

But when you'd bring your picture book,

And ask me please to share your fun,

I'd say, "A little later, son."

I'd tuck you in all safe at night and hear your prayers, turn out the light. Then tiptoe softly to the door ...

I wish I'd stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past ... A little boy grows up so fast.

No longer is he at your side,

His precious secrets to confide. The picture books are put away, there are not longer games to play, No goodnight kiss, no prayers to hear ... That all belongs to yesteryear. My hands, once busy, now are still, The days are long and hard to fill. I wish I could go back and do the little things you asked me to. (Author unknown)

Lastly, honouring both children and mothers, a short piece called "A Little Child Shall Lead Us".

You, little child, with your shining eyes and dimpled cheeks, you can lead us along the pathway to the more abundant life.

"... We blundering grownups need in our lives the virtues that you have in yours. ". . . The joy enthusiasm of looking forward to each new day with glorious expectations of wonderful things to come.

". . . The vision that sees the world as a splendid place with good fairies, brave knights, and glistening castles reaching toward the sky.

. . . The radiant curiosity that finds adventure in simple things; the mystery of billowy clouds, the miracle of snowflakes, the magic of growing flowers. The tolerance that forgets differences as quickly as your childish quarrels are spent, that holds no grudges, that hates never, that loves people for what they are.

"...The genuiness of being oneself; to be done with shame, pretense, and empty show; to be simple, natural and sincere.

". . . The courage that rises from defeat and tries again, as you with laughing face rebuild the house of blocks that topples to the floor."

". . . The believing heart that trusts others, knows no fear, and has faith in a Divine Father who watches over His children from the sky."

" ... The contented, trusting mind that at the close of day woes the blessing of childlike slumber. Little child, we would become like you, that we may find again the Kingdom of Heaven within our hearts."

Happy Mother's Day! May God bless you and all your loved ones.

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