I reflect here on my notes and my ramblings...
As people often ask me how I manage a large family, I thought it best to take a different view of the impact a mother has. What if instead of being a drill instructor or manager of a zoo we compared our roles as mothers to one who conducts music on a large scale?
If you've ever visited an orchestra before, you can envision with me what it's like. You walk down rows of seats to find the one in which you will sit. There is a lavish heavy dark curtain hiding the musicians on stage or in the "pit". Perhaps you can hear them tuning up. One instrument plays a lone note (A on the clarinet to be exact) and all the others instruments match their tones to it. They want to all play in tune.
The lights go low in the seating area. There is a sense of mystery. You settle into your soft chair. You know you are in for a treat. Perhaps you dressed up before you came tonight. You had a sense that this was special. Your eyes begin to adjust to the darkness of the room and the bright lights come up on the stage. The curtain begins to fold back to the edges of the stage. You see the musicians seated with their instruments at rest.
And THEN....
THE conductor walks onto stage. His (or her!) presence seems large for every single musician has their eyes riveted to this person. We, as the audience, are spell bound. We clap vigorously. We have expectations that this will be a wonderful night of music. Perhaps the musicians even stamp their feet to add to the noise of joy. Have you arrived with me at the time for real music?
So are you the conductor in your family? Do you get a standing ovation when you arrive? Do the participants clap wildly when you make your appearance?
Or are you a manager hidden in the side lines? Are you cowering in the box office or behind the lights?
I believe we as mothers could "manage" our family, but I believe that we are called to conduct.
What if we as mothers respected each instrument in this family orchestra that God has given us to conduct? What if we looked at each instrument and it's player as one who needs space to play to their potential? Each of us are given different notes to play. Each of us are called to be what God wants us to be. It's not about all conforming to one image that a mother has for perfection. But in seeing each child as a person, a gift, we let them grow into who God wants them to be. They play their instrument just the way He created them to. They make the sounds that are pleasing to God.
What if we as mothers used the gifts that we already possess to do the best job possible? If we conducted rather than managed (or mangled) the music of these persons in our life into our own likeness?
I encourage you to follow me down this musical journey of considering how your family can play it's best music! We have the opportunity to play a symphony of music that is worship of thankfulness to our heavenly Father!
In each family, God has given us a chance to play for his glory. We make music whether we realize it or not. It's music that uplifts and delights or it's music that weighs down and discourages.
Think of a violin played out of tune. All squeaky and painful to the ears. Or a piano that is banged upon instead of lightly touched? All the noises can come out. But what a blessing when it's a noise that makes others smile instead of covering their ears.
So how do we encourage each of the gifts in our children to be nourished to their highest potential? How to we stimulate the music to be it's best when played upon the instrument of the soul of the child?
Is it by always being present and available? Is it by giving roots and wings? Is it by the wise passiveness of sometimes letting them make mistakes?
I've been wondering these questions as my children grow too quickly! Do you wonder about large families and making sure each persons uniqueness adds the family without making something sound out of tune?