I was walking loops for exercise around my front drive when it began raining. Normally, people in Seattle do not use umbrellas, because it only ever lightly sprinkles. We just pull the hood of our jacket up and we’re good to go.
But walking for an hour in the rain in the forest … that for sure would make me soaked.
So I paused and went inside to retrieve my “walking umbrella.” You can see it here. This is a very special umbrella, of which I am very fond! I only ever use it to walk loops in the rain.
My son gave me this umbrella. I have mentioned in earlier posts how my son and I both enjoy Strange Planet cartoons, because the wordplay is so witty and clever. Here you can see that my umbrella is cleverly named a “Skyshield.” Love it!
As I walk loops in the rain, underneath my “Skyshield,” I pray for my kids! And I can’t help but think how a mom’s role in the life of her kids is very much like an umbrella.
A mom’s prayers are like an “umbrella” covering her children.
I hear the rain pattering on all the leaves throughout the forest, and as I pray for my kids the rain falling makes me think of tears falling. Life is hard! Life is really hard. And tears fall.
A mom “covers” her children in prayer as they go through the tough times in life! And as their tears fall.
A mom “covers” her children in love as they go through the tough times in life!
Mom’s role in the life of her kids is completely different than Dad’s role. Each have a very important, vital role … yet each are uniquely and completely different.
Dad’s role is Provider and Protector. Dad’s role is to help the kids be strong in order to survive life. Dad teaches the kids: “When you get knocked down, stand back up, brush yourself off … and get back at it again!”
Mom’s role is Comforter. Mom’s role is to nurture the kids with love. Mom’s role is compassion and tenderness.
In the early years of our kids’ lives, as babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, Mom’s role of compassion and nurturing has a primary influence in guiding their growth.
As our kids grow up and head through the school years, into college, and launching into adulthood … Dad’s role of teaching them how to be strong in order to survive in life is primary!
Both a Mom’s and a Dad’s role are small pictures of God’s care for His children.
Just as a Dad is Provider and Protector … so also, God is Provider and Protector for those who are His children. When we get “knocked down” in life, God helps us to stand back up, brush ourselves off, and get back at it again!
And just as a Mom is Comforter, Nurturer, full of compassion and tenderness … so also, God is Comforter, Nurturer, full of compassion and tenderness for those who are His children.
And so I walk loops around my driveway for exercise, holding my umbrella over me … while at the same time holding my “Mom Umbrella” of prayer over my kids! My “Mom Umbrella” over my kids matters!
Even though my kids are both grown and on their own now, they still need my “Mom Umbrella” of love held over their lives! They still need my “Mom Umbrella” of prayer covering them!
They need my “Mom Umbrella” of compassion covering them!
My “Mom Umbrella” matters! A lot! Because each day they are getting “dumped on” with the stormy downpour of life! My kids need me to “cover them!”
My “Mom Umbrella” matters!
If you are a mom, then you too have a “Mom Umbrella.” Your love for your kids is an “umbrella” covering them! Your compassion for them is an “umbrella” covering them!
Your interest in their life is an “umbrella” over them! Your loving participation in their life is an “umbrella” over them!
Your prayers for your kids are an “umbrella” covering them!
If you are a mom, your “Mom Umbrella” matters!
In fact, holding high your “Mom Umbrella” and “covering” your kids is perhaps the most important thing you can do as a mom!
