The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Discipleship (02/23/04)
TITLE: Just Like Mom
By Annette Bury
02/25/04
 LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
 SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
 SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND
My mini-van barreled down the road, pushing toward home after an afternoon of running endless errands. I pressed on the brake, waiting for traffic to clear before proceeding with the familiar left-hand turn. Sighing, I looked in the rear view mirror. My brood of four children, rustled in the back seats. I heard an occasional, “Quit looking at me! It’s my book, so give it back! Mom, I’m thirsty.” It was just a typical day with my children.

Suddenly, I heard Robert, my five-year-old son, state, “Mom, I know what I’m going to be when I grow-up!”

I smiled. The Lord had truly gifted Robert with an intelligent mind, combined with a caring heart. Maybe a Scientist, discovering a cure for diseases, maybe a Preacher, going into all the nations with the Gospel, or maybe a Missionary, reaching those who haven’t heard the Good News.

“So, Robert, what are you going to be?”

He blurted, “I’m going to be a Mom, just like you!”

I bit my lip to prevent the laughter. “Robert, are you sure that’s what you want?”

“Uh-huh.”

Anton, my seven-year-old son, responded, “Robert, don’t be a Mom, that’s way too hard. You should be a doctor instead.”

Covering my mouth, I stifled the laugher as I turned the steering wheel. Before long, we pulled up in our driveway. The day proceeded as normal; soiled clothes plopped into the washer, cleaning up countless messes, throwing vegetables into a pot for dinner, washing the dirty dishes, baths for all four, stories, and finally bed-time prayers.

With the children safely in their beds, their faces looking almost angelic as they slept, I reflected on what happened earlier. At such a young age, Anton already knew how much of myself I expended in taking care of them. While Robert, held me in some sort of admiration. But why would he admire me?

Although I want my children to find heroes that have really made a difference in this world, Robert simply watched me. I laughed again as I thought about his career choice for motherhood. Then I realized that Robert looked to me. I had soothed his fears when scared, bandaged his knees when cut, and most importantly prayed with him. So, I guess that’s what true discipleship is all about - making a significant, lasting difference in someone else’s life.