Several months ago, I wrote the blog title, "Mom Post." A little bit later, I added a subtitle, "To Be or To Do." Mothers Day was last Sunday, which was also the day my husband, Matthew, preached on this very topic. I'd say it's about time I write this thing.
My mother is a special lady. She teaches seven year olds how to grow up into very competent eight year olds. Every person I've known who has been in one of her second (and for a short, unfortunate time, first) grade classes has just the best things to say about her. With such witnesses, who can deny her influence on the world?
My mom genuinely loves children. Her children, likewise, love her, maybe a little too much. I think it's safe to say that her love for children is a big factor into why she chose teaching as a career. Truthfully, how could one survive, otherwise?
More than loving children, Mom believes children are capable. I've never met a child Mom couldn't teach to sing, or at least keep a beat. What a powerful skill.
Mom and I have a lot in common: music, analyzing relationships, allergies, making plans. We differ mostly in the environments in which we were raised. I grew up as part of the "Who am I?" generation. I can still see the bafflement on my parent's faces as pre-teen-me languishes on the sofa, struggling with the ultimate identity crisis of choosing a lifetime career before I begin high school. Kudos to them for being 100% supportive of each career of the week.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I get the sense that my parents didn't really have this kind of pressure. My dad jokes about how he had to wander around the world for awhile before figuring out what it was he would do. Mom took a more direct approach, but it still wasn't all planned out the way I was trying to plan out my life as a pre-teen.
I don't really understand why my generation (or anyone, really) is so set on having a clearly-defined identity. It didn't use to matter. It certainly frustrates my mom. (Note: This entire blog post is based off one really tiny conversation so most of the details are just things I'm thinking about, not necessarily the perspective of my mother.) The focus, to her, should be on doing. She is a teacher, a mother, a sister, and a friend, because that is what she does and what she cares about.
The problem, as I perceive her seeing it, is that people today don't have the will or motivation to do things that actually matter. Instead, they sit around and think and watch each other and describe themselves with words.
Both of my parents are doers. They have literally committed their lives to serving their family, their community, their church, and the world. As their daughter, I can see the effects of that service and value it as not just the actions they take but also who they are.
I want to do just like Mom.
