A Simple Truth from a Tot

My daughter will randomly and routinely throughout the day say "Mommy, I love you." I probably hear this 142 times a day although I never truly get tired of hearing it. However, one day I decided to change my answer up a bit. Instead of my typical response of "I love you too!" I asked her "Why?" She looked at me quizzingly, surprised to hear my answer. I asked her again, "Jordan, WHY do you love Mommy?" She stopped for a second, looking completely unsure of what to say. A few seconds later she looked up at me with her big brown eyes and answered "Because you're here with me!" The simple truth of that statement hit me hard.

Above everything else, our children want us to be WITH them. Our presence, our attention, our affection and our smiles are what they desire. Not toys, not even another movie, they want us- their mommies. How freeing this thought was for me. She isn't asking me to be anything but myself and to be there with her as she explores her world. Yes, there are absolutely days when it seems everyone is demanding our attention but what is important to remember is that we are investing in these cherub faces' futures. Our love and attention is building a lifelong relationship that will mean the world to this little person. Parenting is about a relationship. And like any other relationship, it takes effort, intention and time spent with that person. The fruit of that relationship is completely worth the time spent and hanging up of our own self agendas, wishes, and desires.

What an awesome responsibility and honor we have as Moms!