Parenting Isn’t What I Imagined

As a new bride I pictured motherhood with the same magazinesque scenes you pictured.

A well-groomed adoring mother, that would be me, reaching for anxious toddler fingers as they took their first victorious steps.

A well-rested, model-looking mommy, that would be me,  holding an engraved silver spoon full of wholesome, homemade baby food towards a cherubic, clean face with  wide-open mouth.

I knew I would lovingly and adoringly teach them to walk, talk, and eat.

There were things I never thought I would have to teach my children.

I never imagined having to tell them to not write on my walls.
     Hey, how hard can it be to tell the difference between a PIECE OF PAPER and a WALL?

I never imagined having to instruct them to not wipe boogers on my walls. I know, your kids do it too, right?
Hey, how hard can it be to tell the difference between  a WALL and a TISSUE?

I never imagined having to instruct them to not eat tissue.
Hey, how hard can it be to tell the difference between a TISSUE and a SNACK?

I never imagined having to instruct them not to shove their snack up their nose.
Hey, how hard can it be to tell the difference between a SNACK and a FINGER?

And did I already mention I didn’t like having to teach them not to stick their fingers up their noses to retrieve boogers to wipe on my walls?

I’m sure the Lord feels the same way about His children at times.

Should He really have to tell us to love our children? To love our husbands?
Hey, how hard can it be to love those that are the most important to us?

To do all things without grumbling or complaining? To be patient towards all?
Hey, how hard can it be to do a little housework, wipe up a few accidents, break up a few fights, make a few meals and still look like a well-groomed, adoring, well-rested, model-looking Mommy?
I thought parenting would be easier.

Just as our children leave a trail of destruction behind  when they don’t obey the laws of Mom, we can leave a trail of destruction behind when we don’t obey the laws of the Lord.

A harsh word of frustration can be scribbled onto a small child’s heart instead of being poured out in prayer into the listening ears of a Prayer-hearing and answering  God.

The little bad attitude can be  smeared on the walls of our testimony, instead of being discarded where it will be removed as far as the east is from the west.

As Mommies  teach their little children the important life lessons, the Heavenly Father is still teaching His children lessons.

Parenting isn’t what I imagined.  I used to think it was only about raising my kids.

We all have a little more to learn about scribbling and fussing.