There are weeks when I can ambitiously accomplish many tasks, and then there are weeks I can only let spontaneity take charge and my ideas to freely sow. This month’s writing comes early because I am leaning towards the latter situation.
LIVING IDEAS
“Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager?” This question from Tripp’s book has reminded me to intentionally respond to my teen with encouraging and comforting words, even though my natural reaction would have been criticism and sarcasm…
My reading is at the part where Jane Eyre was ready to move away from Lowood, a place she had called “home” during her teen years, venturing into independence and her limitless dreams. Though raised as an orphan girl, despised and later abandoned by her aunt, Mrs Reed, Jane found mentors like Miss Temple who tenderly loved and instructed her during her eight years at Lowood, thus shaping her education and discipline into young adulthood.
“Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager?” Though growing up in a loving home, my teen years were filled with awkward and embarrassing moments, and many regrets. Most likely due to my own introversion, unlike Jane Eyre, I never met a mentor who would lovingly guide and encourage me along those lonely years. As a teen, my refuge was to hide in the darkness of my bedroom, away from the noises of my family. My only emotional outlet was writing poems and publishing them on my blog… The degree of similarity between my daughter and the teenage me is surprising. Or, maybe, it is not that surprising.
We will never be able to predict what each day will bring as we raise our teenagers, but the more we understand about the age, the more we will be able to approach this time with a spirit of preparedness rather than a spirit of fear… We must settle for nothing less than being instruments in the hands of God who is doing important things in the lives of our children.
— Paul David Tripp, Age of Opportunity, p.75
“Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager?” Next time, when the weariness of the day lulls me to sleep, I will instead choose to offer my presence and my listening ears, to be her refuge and her emotional outlet, as I commit to be the guide, philosopher, and friend, the very instrument in the hands of God who is doing great work in my teen’s life behind the scene.
SACRED CALLING
Speaking of mentors, I still had not met any “older women” (Titus 2:3-5) when I first became a mother. But during that season in my life when I definitely sensed the call to motherhood rather than climbing up the academic ladder, I did finally found my “book mentor” who has walked with me faithfully till this day.
Each of my children… has a built-in desire to have me fulfill God’s great call on my life for their sakes. How thankful I am that God showed me his path so that I can relax in each stage of childhood and find joy in my moments with my sweet ones, knowing that in my acceptance of his call, my children can rest in the peace and security of my commitment to them.
— Sally Clarkson, The Mission of Motherhood, p.16
As my youngest turned six years last month, I suddenly realize that I am no longer constantly spinning to feed or change diapers for my baby, nor holding a toddler weighing more than what my arm muscles could afford, nor having a clinging child at my feet begging for attention while I cooked.
The freedom and solitude that I craved for for years have finally arrived. With a bittersweet feeling that probably only mothers with teens could relate, I believe that God still has a great call on my life for my children’s sakes. Even in this new season of motherhood, my sweet ones still desire for peace and security in our home, for emotional comfort and affirmations, for a mother who always believes in their dreams and ambitious pursuits. Leaving behind my last decade of motherhood which was filled with fretting and fears, I would like to relax a bit in my next stage and find joy in my commitment to them.
BEAUTY SENSE
One of the joyful moments was the sweet time my daughter and I had designing invitation and shopping for supplies together for the very first book club (on Pride and Prejudice ) that she hosted at our house.
“There are few joys in life greater and more constant than our joy in Beauty, though it is almost impossible to put into words what Beauty consists in; color, form, proportion, harmony—these are some of its elements.”
— Charlotte Mason, Ourselves, Book I, p. 41
With the purpose of cultivating her beauty sense and a heart for hospitality, I hope that she experienced the “few joys” what Beauty consists, as she extends her self-education to those around her.
The lovely setup we had was largely influenced by Sally Clarkson, who always advocates for a life-giving home with tablecloth, candle, fresh bouquet, and soft music. We forgot the music, but it was a “fancy” tea party, according to her friends.
“Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager?” God has a great call to use mothers like us as instruments for His great work and greater call for our teens, so that years later they will look back to their teen years with joy, peace, and gratitude. In this lovely month of February, I hope you will open your hearts and awake your Beauty Sense to experience the great joy in each stage of motherhood.
Love,
Teresa
P.S. This month I shared on my Instagram story how much Sally Clarkson’s books have shaped my perspective on motherhood, homemaking, and hospitality over the last decade, that I just keep re-reading her books every year. I tagged her Instagramaccount and guess what? She responded to my IG story and private messaged me! I truly love and admire her genuine heart for ministering women around the world, and I highly recommend every one of her books.
