Mario and Maria

Mario and Maria
65 years together

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Reflecting

I'm 41. It's been a long time since I've lived with a mother. I've been THE mother. But not anymore. This makes for a very interesting dynamic in our house ( I almost wrote my house, but this really is a joint living situation, so I write our). I've been criticized on several occasions this week over very small and funny things. (Why do I always under cook the pasta? Don't I know what al dente is? Why are the sheets wrinkled?) I've noticed the "little girl" in me wanting to fight back, defend, and pout. Isn't this the typical mother/daughter relationship? I see it happening between me and Madeline all the time. How strange to be in the daughter (albeit daughter-in-law) role! How very strange to be another daughter in the house. This was unexpected!
The beauty of this whole thing is that I'm not a little girl anymore. The woman in me has grown to a point where I do not have to give in to those feelings of wanting to fight back in retaliation. Or the even stronger feelings of RESENTMENT. Isn't it marvelous that I can recognize growth in myself? And here's the secret to the growth: I know who I am. I really do! I know that I am Cheryl, a beloved daughter of the Most High God. At my truest core of personhood, I belong to God and I am secure in the fact that He loves me with an intimate love, and a deep knowing. In Him I live and move and breathe. This crazy, deep, secure sense of well being makes it possible to withstand almost anything life throws my way. Even a little bit of criticism from my dear mom-in-law. She really is dear, you know.
So I will let her be one of the mothers in our house and love the time I get to spend with her. And once in a while, when I feel a little pouty-ness coming on, I will refer back to this blog to remind myself of what is true.

2 comments:

  1. No truer words can be said of a royal daughter. She moves in grace because she is royalty and the rules in the house of Mercy; she operates in forgiveness because her Father's Kingdom is founded on it. The mark of her Daddy's love is stamped proudly on your forehead, and her name is engraved in the palm of His hand. You are a jewel, Cheryl Ann...

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