While driving home from swim team last night, my 4th grader asked me to turn up a song on the radio. “I really like these words, Mom,” he said. And so we listened to the lyrics of Love Me by JJ Heller with the following refrain that got my attention:
“I will love you for you
Not for what you have done
or what you will become
I will love you for you”
Even though this song was about God’s response to some desperate prayers, these also were powerful words for me to hear as a mom. I can get too focused on the things my son has done or not done every day. Like when he clears the ankle-deep clutter from his bedroom without an argument :) Or when his homework isn’t finished because he’s been focused on something else :(
I tell him every day that I love him. But I promised myself last night I would also tell him frequently that, “I love you for you, not for what you have done or what you’ll become,” words every child needs to hear.
Blessings,
Mary Darr
Editor, MOMSnext ezine
