Look What I Can Do!!
Stuart. I’m sure you’ve all heard of him. He’s the funny character who acts on “Mad TV”. His famous line is: “Look what I can do!!” Well, Stuart has arrived at the Kempner household only it sounds something like this:
“Watch! Watch Mommy, Watch!!” this phrase is usually followed by Oakley pushing a car on the coffee table, or waving his arms in the air, or jumping on the spot, or hitting a puck with a hockey stick, etc. He does nothing special. It’s actually quite boring & extremely irritating.
Yesterday after hearing for the One hundredth time, “watch mommy, watch” I finally snapped. I did the unthinkable. I was a horrible mother & said, “Oakley, I really don’t care if you can crash two cars together. I don’t think it’s exciting & I’m tired of you making me watch you do stupid things”.
As soon as I said it the thought came crashing into my brain…. Is this what God thinks of me? How many times has He heard, “Watch God - I’m making dinner for the family down the street” or “Watch God - I’m teaching my kids about you, aren’t I great?” Or how about, “Look at me God - I’m leading worship & it sounds really good – people are even raising their hands!”
What does God think about these “extra special” tasks we think we’re performing? Is that what we’re doing? Are we performing? Am I looking for recognition? Do I want Brownie badges, stars on my sheet, a special scratch ‘n’ sniff sticker that I used to get in Kindergarten for doing a good job?
We all crave attention but making dinners for families in need, teaching my children to know Christ, or using my gifts are what is required of me as a follower of Jesus Christ. These responsibilities don’t call for recognition from God, although honestly, I do crave it.
Thankfully we serve a God who looks at us like I look at Oakley. Deep down inside I am proud of him even if he is irritating. I’m thankful that he loves me & wants me to be proud of him.
Jesus loves me the same way & he responds to me the way I usually respond to Oakley when he asks me to watch:
“Yes, daughter, I see that. Great job! You’re amazing….”
Here's a little update on what Oakley can do:
Look, I can get my hair cut!
Look! I've peed on the potty 3 times now!
posted by RevTrevK @ 4:00 p.m.
9 comments
9 Comments:
Ginny, you have been my best friend for 26 years and I had no idea what a great "devotional" writer you are (although I know that you are a woman of many talents)! I have always known you to be incredibly insightful and intuitive, though. Keep sharing your thoughts with us (Trevor too, of course)- I look forward to reading more... Oakley and Rebecca are blessed to have such a loving mama who is continually after God's heart!
Hi Ginny. This is Simone Wittenberg. I had to come out from the Lurking world to post a comment. I love what you had to say. It's so true. I, too, am guilty of getting frustrated with the little things that my girls consider great accomplishments. And how true is it that when we do "good" things we hope God is watching. I'm so glad that He is God and I'm not and that no matter what he's holding the hearts of our little ones-and ours!
Thanks for being open and honest. I'm sure many moms can relate.
I have been reading the Bible to the boys every night and the other day we read about storing up treasures in heaven. We talked about how the good things we do and say down here turn into treasures in heaven. They really seemed to get that... and yet, I don't want to teach my kids to do good stuff just to reap God's rewards. I guess that will be lesson #2! I am still learning that one as well. On a mothering note, reading your blog made me thankful that I am finished with the "watch me" phase... at least with the really annoying things! Now I need to take an hour out of my day to watch Karate or help at preschool! A little more time consuming but more fun too!
Hey Ginny, I had to write a comment to give you that extra support in knowing that you're not alone. Some days are so frustrating and I get so mad at myself for being so easily annoyed. It's nice for me to know that I'm not the only one, so that's why I wanted to say to you -I HEAR YOU, I CAN EMPATHIZE WITH YOU AND YOU'RE NOT ALONE EITHER!!
Hey Ginny!!
Well, that is quite the moment that you had there, but I can understand. I mean, not in the area of motherhood, but I definitely have had moments with a certain group of people where I have wanted to have had the same reaction, but I restrained. Anyhoo, I never really thought of it in the terms of God and what He thinks when I'm whining about something or another. But thanks for putting that into perspective for me. Are you sure you aren't interested in Coombs??? haha
Don't feel bad Ginny, Heather gets irritated at me when I say that to her. "Heather, look what I can do? I can sit around all day and play xbox while you take care of the kids." Good God thought.
Be blessed Kempners.
When I came online to read your blog I was chatting on msn and could only see part of your blog for a moment while I was msning. all I saw at firs was the part where you said to oakley and I must admit I laughed pretty hard. I could hear you in my mind as I read. See what I mean, I love how honest and real you are. You're an amazing mom Ginny, and I totally agree with you, I imagine God must look at us and get tired of us saying "look what I can do!"
You are such a great mom Ginny, and so real! I really missed not being able to go to your Going away Dinner as well, this weekend was a busy one for our family. But we will hopefully be able to spend some time together before you and Trev do head on your way!
Ginny! I'm so glad that you are blogging now. Hopefully you will be more consistent than Trevor was :) I look forward to the updates.
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