“It behooveth him to wax, but me to be made less” (John 3:30, Wycliffe Translation)
A storm brewed one summer night, tearing at the trees, pink flower petals – and the weaver web. All the parts – all six hands and feet of that tiny spider were intent on making the silk thread stick – stick to brick pillars and porch eaves dripping water – arms and legs weaving and darning simultaneously.
Just like this mother in me – with these boys – stocking shelves and hearts with nobleness books on heroes, freedom and faith, loving forever to God’s beard and back to plate-fulls of carrots and broccoli with dipping sauce to make it go down – to bed-time chronicles, God stories and prayers tucked in and lectured out on how to live this faith thing that is the most important part of the spinning and weaving and releasing of ourselves into our children.
Hands-on shoe-tying and shirt buttoning instructing, math problem and oil level checks, to true friendship discernment and loving hearts that need saving, challenge confrontation and over-coming training – and learning not to give up o confront challenges to overcome – sometimes 2 arms, 2 legs and one heart work as determinedly as the spider with the web – though maybe not as gracefully, as fluidly
like a spider mending and weaving on a stormy evening.
like a mother and a father giving out all that is within us until one day they stand tall above us, tall enough inside and out to leave . . .
to search out their own eaves and pillars on which to stick their faith and life mission where they become small and He becomes bigger – and the work of their life reflects His glory.
I don’t know if I explained that well – how our life’s work, that He designed us for – , that’s the story they will read, the song they will hear, the web a canvas to the artist. It is our family, that web – and the work and faith of our hands and hearts, what we put into the raising of them – that will say the most about us – and suddenly it is so much bigger than just me – these children and grandchildren – and in the weaving, the mending, the praying and faith of it are what people see, not me but the results of the life I lived, of the faith and love I lived.
Hi Blue Cotton Memory! Your words were salve to my soul on a long parenting day. Thankfully God’s mercies are new every morning. Thank you for sharing the analogy of the spider web. I have never thought about parenting quite like that before. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Praying that tomorrow, Jo Rose, you have a time of refreshing after your long parenting day – time to think long thoughts all of your own, uninterrupted – and that you get to savor them before jumping back into the fray! Thank you for stopping by and for your good wishes!
Maryleigh
‘like a mother and a father giving out all that is within us until one day they stand tall above us, tall enough inside and out to leave . . .’
Gorgeous. True. You make remember those days …
I hope this weekend will sparkle for you and your gang, my friend!
Linda – when you say you remember those days, I want to ask – when my boys are out of the house – will I finally be able to remember the word I am reaching for – because the distractions are less? I will definitely chase that sparkle down this weekend – for all of us! Thank you for coming by and jump-starting the sparkle – may you have your own measure of sparkle, too!
Maryleigh
Yes, yes, my friend. New life and purpose and joy truly does get breathed into each fresh season. Truth be told {whisper} that next season just might be your best ever!!!!
Hugs!
;-}
Thank you Linda for this encouagement for the next season:)
I found you on FMF. This is the first time I have visited your blog, and I think I’ll be coming back again =) I would love to know more about raising my boy to be a man in Christ.
Thanks for writing and sharing!
I am so glad you stopped by Melissa – I cannot say that I have a tried and true formula – just a hope and faith one. Each boy is designed differently and approaches their journey differently – seeing them as God sees them made all the difference. Wishing you blessing this weekend – and moments of grace with your boy!
Maryleigh
Oh Maryleigh, you are such a wonderful mother and example to us newer moms. My daughter is only 8, so I have many more years to guide her.
I love how you wove the web into your own heartfelt determination.
Much love,
Beth
My boys would never let on that I’m a wonderful mom – they all show it differently. I am glad I stored all the love they so openly showed me in my heart when they were littler to remind me when that love becomes stealth and they realize you are not perfect. I mess up, say things I shouldn’t – I miss when they saw me perfect:) I like your word choice – heartfelt determination – I think that’s what parenting is all about – determination to not give up on loving! Thank you for coming by, Beth – and for making me feel wonderful for a moment!
Maryleigh
Being a weaver and spending many a morning pondering a web woven in the night that hangs between two branches or between two porch posts always mesmerizes my mind…to think that all this work is accomplished by a tiny spider for a purpose.
Not being a parent but being a teacher to many, I have parented children in ways that a non-parent does. I do this from a heart of love too. I tutor, now, three first graders who are behind already and need to have lessons and love woven into their little lives. I am that spider in my own ways.
This post reminds me that I am a “parent” also, just different from those of you who are raising your own children. I get to love on your children as a teacher-librarian-grandma-type spider who loves to weave in a child’s life! Thank you to each of you who allow me to love on your kids. It brings me great joy to teach and love all at the same time!
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
God has sent women like you into my life – spiritual mothers – who have woven into my life a beautiful web. I want to thank you for opening your heart to be spiritual mother. You help fill empty places that need filling! Sending you {{hugs}} for this awesome mission God has placed in your heart!
Maryleigh
The best thing I’ve done with my life thus far is be a mom to my boys, both grown, but always wanting to know what I think, what I’d do in their shoes. This is a beautiful post, like all your posts. Happy FMF!
My boys never want to know what I think – LOL – maybe because they already know. I’ve noticed when they reach a certain age, they join my husband in this “men’s club” – where they talk business, cars, technology and practical stuff – there’s 3 in that group now – 2 to go. It’s kind of like having your first born and not sure you’re doing it right – this out of the nest parenting. I think you could give me some much-needed tips!!! Thank you for coming by, Micey – and talking to me – especially about raising these boys! I need that! Happy FMF back at you!
It’s a bit different for me because it’s just the three of us. Neither boy has a reliable dad to talk to. They got just me. And my mom, sister, and brother. Glad to encourage as much as you encourage me. 😄 And pronounce micey like mice with a y on the end. [mice-eee] haha.
I think you explained that VERY well. I don’t like spiders but I sure can relate to the spinning and darning and weaving our stories with His stories and teaching what is good by living in God and letting Him create love through me. Beautiful portrait of motherhood you have spun! Blessings, Love: Rachael @ Inking the Heart
I don’t like spiders either – but a spider in a web doesn’t give me the heebeegeebees – maybe because they are not close enough to me! Story spinners and weavers sound so much more artistic than writer:) much more fun, too! Thank you for coming by and leaving such encouraging words! Wishing you spinning and weaving time this weekend!
Maryleigh
Hmm..you leave me with good afterthoughts and images. Thank you for that.
This is beautiful Maryleigh; I love how you created a picture that details the love and joy that goes into weaving our families together to worship and have an everlasting faith! We never stop parenting and being right beside our children and then their children! They have molded me and give joy and love back in return! 🙂
Blessings and love,
Denise
Maryleigh,
So glad you are on the mend…and this mending and tending in love that you do for your family..it is no small thing and it is truly a work of art and beauty you create…blessings to you 🙂
Glad you are both on the mend Dolly! I like how the spider that night never gave up. The web tore, the challenges just kept coming – but the spider didn’t give up! Wishing you blessing this week and joy-catching moments!
I love your blog. The heart behind each post is a blessing. Your poetic style & imagery are very inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you Candice for coming by and encouraging me! So glad we can lift each other up! Wishing you joy-catching moments in this week:)
Maryleigh
I absolutely love this metaphor, Maryleigh! I’ve never thought about it, but as moms and wives, we really are as persistent and committed as that little spider to build our families up. What came to my mind, with that web you so beautifully captured, is how delicate it is and yet it withstands much of life’s battering winds. Thankfully I believe God helps our work to stand just as tenaciously. Inspiring words, my friend!
You say it perfectly – we are delicate yet withstand “battering” winds:) There is a grace and resilience in how you say that! I want to keep that image with me today! So glad you came by! Wishing you grace and resilience this week!
Love your analogy, Maryleigh! And, it is a timely one for me as this week’s topic for my “Intentionally Focused” bible study is children. 🙂
When I keep focused on the things He wants me focused on – I do life so much better! Have a blessed week Lyli! Thank you for coming by!
This mending and weaving and loving–it’s a wonderfully sticky analogy.
LOL – sticky is right – isn’t it. Praying that only the God-things stick!!! Thank you for coming by!
I love your analogy! I am off to do some weaving around my family. With renewed purpose, mind you. Thank you for sharing…
We cannot give up – can we! Like that spider in the storm, we must dig in and keep on spinning! Wishing you beautiful moments of great weaving today! Thank you for coming by!
This is beautiful, Maryleigh! I am actually leading an online Bible study through Good Morning Girls, and this week’s focus is our children. This ties in so perfectly to what I have been studying.
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