Am I raising superheroes? Are my children going to move forward into adulthood and make a difference in this world? Will they have the diligence and fortitude to become the leaders of tomorrow? I guess as a mom I hope that they will someday make a difference in their society, but in what way? I don't really hope to have a say in the career choices they make, knowing that I can direct them but that ultimately it is their decision about what to "become". When it comes to those choices, I don't believe that they matter as much as our society wants to make us think they do. Of course I want my kids to choose to contribute to their families, communities and the general population of our society through their occupations but I don't think that it is the most important thing. My best hope for them is that they are able to live lives of integrity, putting others before themselves and giving more than they take. I pray that they put God's will for their lives before their own and allow Him to work through them.
By listening to them play today, my oldest daughter (age 9) could become the dictator of some small tropical nation... she will be very happy for others to serve her every desire, basking in the sun and sipping something tasty and festive! If she were to win an award it would be for persuasion because she is able get her siblings to do a lot of unnecessary things for her. My son (age 5) may finally break free from the older-sister-strangle-hold long enough to think for himself and design the newest action figure while inventing some incredible swimming pool that "turns off and sucks all the water in like a straw and every time you go there, there's marshmallow cake"...you know the important things in life. His award would be for constant motion or superior tree climber. My youngest daughter, age two, will love the world as she spreads her infectious joy everywhere she goes, hopefully hugging more people than trees. Her favorite expression "don't wouwy about it" will be her mantra. No matter what she chooses it will include lovingly taking care of someone and tucking them in tight. Her special award would be for laughter because she brings so much to so many.
Superheroes? Maybe not to the rest of the world. I do pray that they will make an impact in a way that matters more than fulfilling their own desires. I hope that they will learn that serving others is more important than serving themselves. I have to ask myself, am I living a life that influences their choice to live generously? In a world that says to live life for yourself without regard for the needs of everyone around you, to take as much as you can get and don't look back, it is not an easy task but it is definitely something to aspire to. Thankfully, God is not finished with me yet. Thankfully he is still working on my children as well. If they don't kill each other in the process I know they will become superheroes in their own unique ways. I will enjoy watching them from the sidelines, cheering them on and knowing that no matter what their choices they are already heroes to me. I am so proud to be their mom.
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