My husband did a great job taking care of the boys this weekend while I had a special retreat at the MOM HEART Conference lead by Sally Clarkson.  Two wonderful days being bathed in encouragement, watching the self-imposed condemnation of not being a perfect mother literally falling from my shoulders and those of the women all around me.  Truly refreshing.  And now this morning, in our quiet home, as my three boys play with their Knights and Horses, and Sally's son Joel serenades me from his CD "If I Rise on the Wings of the Dawn," one word keeps coming to my mind.. "Mmmmmmmm."

Okay, so it's not a word, it's a sound.  

"Mmmmmmm...." the smell of homemade cookies....  "Mmmmmmmm..." the relaxing joy of a perfectly marvelous soak in bubble bath..... "Mmmmmm..."  the gentle touch of a child's fingertips holding their Mama's face in place to give her a precious kiss.... "Mmmmmmm...."

"Mmmmmmmm" is the sound I heard over and over again this past weekend, as Sally gave us sweet-tasting pearls of wisdom; applicable, gracious and do-able Mothering-Wisdom.  

"Influence is an Exercise in Patience" Sally said.

"Mmmmmm... " the woman across the table from me responded.  I assume, like me, she had been trying to influence her children's heart as though sprinting to the finish line, we ourselves fashioned and hung.  I imagine, like me, she had grown upset that her children were still disobedient, selfish, fit-throwing little people.  "Mmmmmmm..." the reminder.  Patience.  This is a long distance run.

Another pearl that fell from Sally's lips was this one,  "God, if you created this personality, help me to live in accordance with your Holy Spirit to raise this child." 

"Mmmmmmmm," responded the woman behind me.  "Mmmmmmmm," came the sound again, this time from beside me.  "Mmmmmmmm" I echoed in agreement.  

So often I hold the lives of my children up to the light of my own shining, to see if I like or accept their personalities and unique design, rather than holding their little beings up to the Light of God's Word and Purpose for them.  I critically figure out what needs to be done to correct them, rather than praising God for His wonderful and fearful design.  The humbling truth is that God fashioned them as a perfect representation of His own image.  My job is to submit to the help of His Holy Spirit to raise them and guide them to the predestined good works he has appointed for them to walk in... in all of their uniqueness.

"Mmmmmm..."

Sally said it this way, "The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart."

"Mmmmmm... "

When I try to correct the personality out of my strong-willed boy I become his critical adversary, not his Championing advocate! 

"Mmmmmmm...."

"This is your Spiritual Service of Worship", Sally challenged us.

"Mmmmmmm..."

"Taste and see that the Lord is good," (Psalm 34:8 )

"Mmmmmmm..." is the sound we make when we taste and enjoy wonderful flavors.  That's what this weekend was for me.  God gave me a banquet table of wonderfully edifying delights to satisfy my Mothering Heart.  

"He has taken me to the banquet hall,

and his banner over me is love."  (Song of Solomon 2:4)

How good of the Lord to refresh me in this way.  "Thank you Lord for giving me the sweet sustenance I need for the long-distance race stretching out before me.  Thank you for placing your banner of love over me that I might wave it over the busy little lives of my children.  Thank you for older women who teach younger women.  Thank you.  Amen."

Mmmmmm...

Mmmmmmmmmmmm....

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

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And welcome ladies from...