Raising Them For More Than This World

Being a mother is beautiful, but if I’m honest, it’s also scary sometimes. I’m the mom constantly trying to protect my children from falling and hurting themselves. I worry when they try something new — doing somersaults on the trampoline, skating too fast in roller skates, climbing higher than I think they should. Every instinct in me wants to catch them before they hit the ground.

But the truth is… I can’t stop every fall.

They will fall sometimes. They will get hurt sometimes. That’s a part of life, especially in this world. As much as I want to wrap my children in protection every second of every day, I know I won’t always be able to shield them from disappointment, heartbreak, bad decisions, pain, or the realities of life.

And honestly, that realization can feel heavy as a mother.

What I can do is prepare them.

I can teach them how to be strong. I can raise them to be smart, loving, respectful, and independent adults who know how to navigate life by making wise decisions. I can teach them to have discernment. I can pray over them daily. I can pour love into them so deeply that they never question it.

But more than anything else, I want to teach them to keep God first.

Because when I can’t be there, God will.

When they grow older and life gets complicated, I want them to know that God is still the answer. When they feel lost, confused, lonely, disappointed, or afraid, I want them to remember that Jesus Christ has always been the way. Not sometimes. Not only when life is good. Always.

As mothers, we spend so much time thinking about our children’s future — education, careers, opportunities, safety, happiness. And those things matter. They really do. My children are everything to me, and I want them to succeed in life.

But if I’m thinking eternally, the most important thing I can ever make sure of is that they know Jesus for themselves.

I care about their purpose, but I care even more about their salvation.

Because this life is temporary. No matter how much we love each other here, our ultimate goal is Heaven. And not just getting there ourselves, but bringing the ones we love with us. That’s what I want for my children more than anything else.

When I’m gone — and I pray that day is far away — I don’t just want my kids to remember my voice, my hugs, or the things I did for them. I want them to remember my faith. I want them to remember the prayers spoken over them. I want them to remember that their mother pointed them toward God over and over again.

I want them to know that no matter what life looks like, they are never without guidance because God is with them.

Motherhood has taught me that I cannot control every outcome. I cannot prevent every wound. I cannot walk every road for my children.

But I can lead them to the One who can carry them through all of it.

And that gives me peace.