Superlatives

I recently spoke with a woman who has six children ranging from married to 10. Plus she’s been a foster parent to about nine more kids over the course of the years. I asked her about her parenting challenges and strengths. In the course of our conversation, she told me a story of when she’d been shopping at a thrift store about 10 years ago and saw a “World’s Greatest Mom” mug. She decided that she didn’t want to wait 20 years for her children to give her one, so she splurged and bought the 50 cent mug. Her oldest son was putting away the dishes the next morning and stopped, looked at the mug for a few minutes, and then asked, “Did you buy this for yourself?” It’s become a joke in their family and she routinely gets such items in mugs, t-shirts, and other various forms.

I’ve been ruminating on that story for the last few days. It puts a smile on my face when I think about it – I find it humorous. But, I’ve been really pondering the phrase “World’s Greatest Mom.” What makes a woman the best mom? In a child’s eyes, that mother would give them anything they wanted and would likely be more of a friend than authority figure. To be honest with myself, I’d love for my kids to feel that way about me. In an adult’s eyes, a woman is thought to be an excellent mother when she seems able to simultaneously embody patience in all circumstances, juggle an inordinate number of tasks, retain oodles of superfluous and substantial information, drive while passing out snacks, have an infinite supply of creative ways to entertain children, and (incredulously) look good while doing it.

In the end, I know it’s God’s eyes that matter. For Him to say that I am the “World’s Greatest Mom” would somehow be akin to hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25: 21, 23) for the only job I’ve found intrinsically satisfying. Ideally, if I do my job in such a way that I please and honor Him, then my children – as they mature into adulthood – would find themselves in agreement with God. But, I know I have no assurance of that. I really may come to the end of my days without the enthusiastic appreciation of my children. I hope not, but it’s possible.

The next time I see a mug or t-shirt or pin with that superlative description on it, I’m going to buy it. Not because I am. Not because I’ll ever be. Not because my kids agree. Not because they don’t. Not because they’ll buy it for me in 20 years with sincere feeling and I’m just giving myself an “advance.”

I’ll buy it because I want to be inspired to do my job faithfully, the very best I can.

Thankfully, I know my Inheritance is so much more than a mug… but perhaps I’ll also enjoy a nice cup of coffee with my Lord in heaven someday.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.     – Colossians 3:23-24