Mentor's Moments

Significance

Our newsletter editor has been trying to tell me that it is November for over a week now, and I’ve refused to believe her. You know what? My unbelief did not change the calendar.

My husband says God’s laws are immutable whether or not we believe them. Just as surely as gravity will pull you down from the seventh floor building if you jump, generosity will bring blessing, God’s word builds your faith, and committed relationships bring you joy.

I have Dr. Dobson’s daily flip calendar, “Hope for the Family,” and the reading for June 9 is dog-eared. The Scripture is from Colossians 1:10-11, NIV: “We pray . . .  that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge or God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might.”

In the meditation, the good doctor notes that urgent demands are made on us from all sides, all the time: church, our kids’ schools, friends, community, and we have to make choices. He comments: “When the demands for energy exceeds the supply, burnout is inevitable. And children are almost always the loser in the competition for that limited resource.”

I know right now you moms feel “on the shelf,” as if life has passed you by. Perhaps your friends who aren’t parenting are doing exciting things and you are wiping drool and poop. You want to do something significant. I remember telling Joe I wanted to leave my footprints in the sands of time. It just isn’t happening . . .

Or is it? In my life, now seven adults are in the world, acting responsibly, fulfilling their obligations, leading lives that are influencing those around them. Joe and I were only two. We have kids from South America to Colorado. They work with many others, and even lead others. Your children will achieve far more than you ever would have by yourself.

November is here, and one of my adult sons will be here twice this month. Steve flies from Boston this evening for the VT-WVU game at Mountaineer Field, and then he will be coming in again for Thanksgiving. I must have done something right if this good-looking guy wants to come back and spend some time with me. My heart is happy. Keep your adult children your vision. Apply your energy to your little ones today, and you will multiply your impact in the world in a few short years.

Charlotte Snead

Mentor Mom

November, 1999