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Modern Perspectives, Parenthood, Young Married Mom

March 22, 2011

Everything I Do, I Do It for You

“Our job is to bring out the best in our children, to develop their strengths and weaknesses.  But to accomplish this, we much bring out the best in ourselves.”

—from “A Childlike Spirit” in  Your Vocation of Love by Agnes M. Penny

 

Having a child may be the strongest impetus for self-reflection on the planet.

 

 

Even though Jacob has only just hit the six-month mark, I can see that he is beginning to understand some of what I say to him.  How I behave and speak around him will only become more influential over the coming weeks and months, and I am becoming more aware of what I do and say, in order to be the very best example I can for him.

 

Human nature both fascinates and baffles me.   How is it that we so often put ourselves first in our minds, but in our actions, we don’t take care of ourselves as well as we should?  (Read: How can John and I be so sleep-deprived and still stay up to watch an episode of Planet Earth before bed?)

 

It’s equally incredible to me how much we are capable of when the beneficiary is someone other than ourselves.  On The Biggest Loser, for example, contestants often say they are working more for their families than for themselves.  Some marathoners will train for months and run that grueling race to raise money to help cure a loved one’s disease.  I can give up sweets for Lent without a problem, but no way can I stop eating dessert or snacks for a week just because it’s healthy living.

 

 

Motherhood makes me accountable to someone other than myself, and this alone makes the experience totally life changing.  As I see more and more of who Jacob is, more and more of me wants to put my best foot forward.

 

 

This is love.  This is motherhood.  This is good.

 

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