It seemed like a reasonable idea at the time.
My husband, children and I were visiting friends out of state to attend a wedding. The day of the wedding we were up and running – well, most of us were. Hubby and daughter had left to go to the store, but my son was still asleep. My friend’s husband was out and about and she and I wanted to go take a walk. My then nine year old son was asleep and we had discussed the night before that if he woke up and no one was there, just to watch cartoons until we got back.
We were maybe fifteen minutes into the walk when we heard fire trucks and proceeded to watch them whiz past us in the direction from which we had come. Instantly I had a sinking feeling…I mean a seriously sick sinking feeling and I turned and started running at a full sprint. My friend waved down the next car that drove by and a kind gentleman heard her rapid fire explanation, told her to hop in, they stopped and got me and drove us with much haste toward her house.
Yes, the fire truck was there and as we raced up her driveway the firemen explained that all was ok – just burnt waffles. I raced to the bedroom where my son was sitting on the bed looking totally dejected, seriously upset and fearful. He explained that he had put waffles in the toaster and they got stuck and started smoking. He had opened the door to let the smoke out but had no way of knowing that my friend had an automatic alarm system that contacted the fire department. When they arrived, horns blarin, lights flashing and in full gear it scared him senseless and he thought he was in big trouble.
Mom fail.
I relived that dumb decision over and over again in my head for days, weeks, months – thinking about all of the what if’s. Realizing what a scary position I had placed my son in. I also wondered if I had scarred my son for life. I was extremely grateful for God’s protection.
Still am. (I am certain I can smell smoke right now…and my heart is beating a bit faster.)
I felt compelled to share this less than stellar parenting MOMent with you just to let you know that we all make bad decisions as parents. But God is so much bigger than our mistakes. That’s why more than anything we need to pray for our children without ceasing. The God of the universe cares deeply for you and those He has entrusted to you and the best way to have the capacity to rest in that assurance is to get to know God personally through spending time in prayer, speaking to Him and listening for Him.
I encourage you to spend some time right now in prayer for each of your children and make that an important part of your every day!
Hello Tracey!
I just ran across your website and love it! I love what you say about stay at home moms, family life, etc. that is RIGHT up my alley, having been a stay at home mom of six children for the past 36 years.
In fact, I’ve written a book about motherhood called ” You Don’t Have to Go It Alone”. It’s Biblical perspectives on motherhood wrapped in a story about a young, unwed, pregnant and mixed-up young lady who comes to live with a Christian family and is mentored by the mom. You can check it out on Amazon or my website (kittyblock.net) if you are interested. Or I’ll be happy to send you a copy if you’d like.
You’re doing exactly what I want to do-meeting with moms-(and have been doing for years, just on a much smaller scale.) I’d love to get in touch with you, if that would be possible, and find out more of what you do, how you do it, and how I could either get involved, or start similar outreaches in my area.
Sincerely, Kitty Block
Hey Kitty…how wonderful that you give your life away to moms, that personal one on one mentoring is so important! I’m going to go check out your site right now! Hugs!