Ephesians, Chapter 1

​“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the Hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance  in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:16-18)

A Prayer for My Daughter

Bless little one with all wisdom and knowledge in Christ. Seal her with the Holy Spirit. Give her a spirit of wisdom and knowledge so that she may know You better. ...

May her eyes of her heart be opened so that she will know the glorious riches of Your inheritance and the Hope of glory.

“Daddy’s more fun than you,” pouted my little girl. Sad eyes peered over the pink shoe she shoved on her foot and the corners of her typically smiling mouth now pointed down in a frown. Scrambling to find matching shoes, shoving papers into her school bag, and running to throw on a new shirt, this morning’s organized chaos unfolded like most week-day mornings in our household. I straightened up from my bent-over posture, tying on my sneakers with fierce determined tugs.
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Her words did not maim or mortally wound me, which surprised me. Instead, a calm, sad acceptance of her underlying meaning dropped like heavy weights upon my heart. After counting to three in my head, I addressed her accusation.

“Yes, Daddy is fun to play with, isn’t he?” I commented, pushing the pile of shoes away from the door, “I’m glad you had fun with him last night.” Then, turning to face Little girl like a defendant on trial for a crime, I asked, “But does Daddy get you ready to go to school in the morning? Does he make breakfast, fill your cup, set the table, clear the dishes, help you make your bed, get you dressed, pack your bag, or help with your socks and shoes?”

She paused, “No,” she answered, her words slow and thoughtful.

“Who does?” I continued like an attorney, poised to deliver the final vindicating blow.

“You do,” Little girl pointed at me.

“That’s right,” I said firmly, “That’s a lot to do in a short amount of time each morning.”

My tone softened as I knelt in front of my little girl, whose mouth still bent downwards. “And don’t you have fun with Mommy?” I continued, a smile now on my face, “Didn’t we laugh when I tickled you yesterday? Didn’t you giggle when we rolled on the floor? Weren’t we silly dancing to the music?”
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Little girl’s face brightened with a big smile, “Yes!” she remembered, leaning to hug me, “You’re silly, Mommy!”

So many times, our roles as moms require the mundane, boring, non-exciting or fun, task-oriented behavior necessary to keep our household moving and running. Its inglorious and goal-focused approach aims to accomplish results, not fun or play. Am I sometimes jealous of the more carefree relationship my little girl holds with her daddy? Yes, sometimes, I am, particularly on those days when the dishes and laundry pile high, or dinner needs to be cooked. But more often I am thankful for their fun and energetic relationship. Her squeals when he throws her high in the air, her belly-laughs at his silly stories, the way she jumps and tackles him when he roars like a lion on hands and knees, and runs to hug him when he comes home after a long day.

​Daddies play a valuable role in our children’s lives. Often, they are our children’s playmate! They toss our children up in the air, throw them balls like star quarterbacks, and carry them upside down, on their backs or on their shoulders. daddies unrestrained and free form of play reaches our children’s need for primal play. Where daddies romp and run, mommies play through imagination, creativity, and relationship.

​Even though my little girl’s statement irritated like a piece of sand beneath my skin, I could acknowledge the truth of her observation. Yet, I also find peace with the knowledge that my role is just as vital as Daddy’s often more fun one. This is not to say that mommies don’t have fun with their children; on the contrary, it's just the opposite! Mommies often serve as the fun friend during the day, the faithful companion who always plays nicely and with manners. Mommies dance with abandon while daddies swing their children high, mommies tickle and kiss when daddies chase and run. Mommies stop in the middle of the store to sing and twirl to a song on the radio, where daddies beat the drums in the living room, or play the air guitar.

​Mommies play differs from daddies' for good reason, each parent fulfilling an alternate way of expressing and filling their child’s heart with love. Mommy’s tenderness offsets Daddy’s louder and more physical displays of love, Mommy’s nurturing role compliments Daddy’s provider role, and Mommy’s organization and task-orientation frees Daddy’s up for fun and active play when he comes home after long, structured, and often stressful days at work.

​Yes, Mommy’s fun time may be forgotten in the wake of Daddy’s piggyback rides, but don’t worry, our dual role as companion and family organizer is a beloved and precious part of the family infrastructure. Mommy’s work may often go unnoticed, unappreciated, or forgotten, but we can revel in the immense satisfaction of watching our family and children thrive in the environments we helped construct, organize, or structure. In the end, isn’t that what it is all about? Showing love in all its different facets so that our family blossoms and grow?

A Prayer for Myself

Dear Lord, help me to find peace and joy in the mundane, everyday, unglamorous jobs I perform in my household. Let me see my job as a wife and mother through Your eyes, and not the worlds. Fill me to overflowing with contentment and satisfaction as I wash dishes, clean counters, sweep floors, wash laundry, cook meals, clean the house, and pick up after my family.