They Always Look For You

Our kids…They ALWAYS look for us. And here’s something else moms…. they always LISTEN for us, too. If you think that boy on the wrestling mat isn’t listening for his mama to love on him from the stands, you are wrong. I’m not talking coach mom-style calling out moves, I’m talking about yelling your child’s name with the love and tone he will always hear and be encouraged by.

My now twenty four year old, Alex, was a big wrestler all through school. I tried one time during a big match to be silent because some a-hole dad told me I was “too loud” and he “couldn’t hear his coach”. But my son came off the mat, bee lined over to me, and asked me why I didn’t yell for him. “What? I didn’t think you could hear me anyway and I didn’t want to mess you up.” to that he replied, “Mama, I always hear you.”

All that to say… there were hundreds of other matches where he didn’t acknowledge my presence, but the one time he sensed my absence was memorable. It’s the same thing. Don’t think because you don’t get gushed all over for doing what God put you here to do (love on your child the way THEY feel it), that you shouldn’t be doing it. Don’t you ever label your encouragement irrelevant. The sound of your voice is relevant. You being within eyesight after the big win AND the big loss is relevant.

Our presence and absence as parents is an opportunity wrapped up in a gift of finite time. Go to the games! Scream their names! Be present and EARN that position God put you in as their life coach. The “Hey mama, what do you think about .” “Hey mama, what should I do about ____.” “Hey mama, listen to this….” phone calls and sit downs you get from them as adults are what you earn from that time spent with them as children.