Like Christ ye Mothers

After Moms ‘n Tots last Friday I spent the afternoon with another young first-time mother and we got on the topic of how easily young mums can read criticism in even the most innocent of remarks.

We had both found that we have had to work really hard not to take to heart what people says about our child or about us as a mother.

It has been quite a realization to both of us.

Before being mothers we had quite thick skins and were almost impervious to most things that people could say to us. Even today you can make a remark about our clothes, or the geeky things we say or do and we will laugh and make a joke of it...

..BUT you make one seemingly slighting remark about our baby and it elicits a completely different reaction. Watch out for Mama bear!

The same is true for how we look after our precious little gifts from God. It is such a huge responsibility to take care of a little person - looking after their physical bodies and molding their souls - so that if someone does say something that even vaguely implies that we are not doing a good enough job.. the defenses immediately go up!

The discussion left me with an even stronger resolve to bite my tongue before responding to a remark. Maybe asking a question to find out what the other person was really trying to say before immediately putting up the barb wire, setting out the guard dogs, and sending out the armored tanks.

Giving others the benefit of the doubt. Something I appreciate when it is given to me.

I know I have often put my foot into it, and have always been grateful when given a little bit of patience and a second chance to better explain myself.

..and what if it is a criticism?

What if someone does say something negative about my child or about how I am raising my child?

I know I am trying my hardest to be a good mother and I need to keep reminding myself that the other person is just trying to help me. By giving them an opportunity to speak I may become an even better mother, or, if the advice is something I don’t wish to follow, at least the experience will hopefully help me become a better disciple of Christ.

Christ was always a patient listener. He didn’t revile when he was reviled.

That night at Sister’s class we read these verses that tied in perfectly with the earlier discussion:

“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Likewise, ye wives..”

Isn’t that such a powerful passage?

But the key point for us women is the word “likewise.”

"Like Christ ye women.."

Like Christ had no guile in his mouth and did not revile - we should do likewise - especially if we are criticized (or at least we may feel criticized) while trying our best.

"Like Christ ye women.."