|
|
"May I go
now?" the almost completed, eager mother asked.
"Not yet. There are essential parts and finishing touches to be
added," her Maker replied.
"I look pretty good to me," she said, peering into the crystal
pool at her feet.
"True, you're looking better all the time. But bear with
me."
"What does a mother have to do, God, besides wash, feed, and
clothes little bodies?"
God only smiled and continued working.
"what are you doing now?" the curious mother-to-be questioned.
Tightening your anger valve. If this doesn't work, everyone is in
trouble."
She watched as He reached for the container marked patience.
"And what do I need patience for?" she asked as He poured in
quite a supply.
"After a week you will know, my child."
"And whatever could that be?"
"This is your bypass mechanism. It enables a mother to
operate efficiently for long periods of time without compliments from
her children."
"I'm sure I won't need that."
"I'm sure you will."
Then God reached for a bundle labeled' insulation against loud noises.'
"You can skip that," she told him. "I don't mind a
little noise."
"That's nice," He said.
Seeing all the energy He was preparing to give her, she shifted uneasily
from one foot to the other. "I wouldn't need all that energy
in a million years."
"Little you know. You will use all of this and be
begging for more before long."
"I didn't know there was so much involved in being a mother.
You're not just putting me on, are you?"
"No, little mother."
With much apprehension, "Are you sure I can handle the job?"
"Quite sure...with help. I'm always available when you need
me."
"I'm glad to know that. What could I possible need all these
for?"
"A certain amount of pain, so that you will be fully equipped to
sympathize with and minister to the needs of your children when they
feel pain; tears, so that you will be able to cry with them when they
are hurt; and laughter to blend with theirs for happy times."
The mother-in-waiting fidgeted while God attached 'yes and no' buttons.
"Wouldn't it be nicer just to say 'yes' to my children all the
time?"
"Definitely not. Good mothers need to say 'no' - - and
often. Say it with kindness and they will respect you for
it."
"Have you equipped me with this thing called kindness, Lord?"
"I have indeed."
"And what about respect? Do I have to respect my
children?"
"Absolutely."
The anxious mother tried to be patient as God installed a question
answerer, advice giver, get along without sleep, and a pretender not to
notice.
"I know I wouldn't use one of those!" she said, as God came
toward her with a let-go lever.
"Sure you will, though it's hard. This is a vital piece of
equipment. Until this little lever is released, your children will
not have room to grow properly, make their own decisions, or develop
their own personalities."
"I guess that is important."
God stood back a few steps to appraise His work, then reached for a coat
of love and wrapped it around her. "Wear this at all times,
and you'll be a good mother."
"Am I ready now, God, to get on with the mothering bit?"
"You can go now, " God said gently. "You're not
perfect, but you will do."
|
