Raising Cinderella and Prince Charming

Every month, I get a magazine from Proverbs 31 Ministries called P31 Woman. In the April 2008 issue there was this article/story by Teresa Cocke and it floored me. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!

Raising Cinderella and Prince Charming
by Teresa Cocke

"Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift you hands toward Him for the life of your young children." Lamentations 2:19 (NIV)

I couldn't find him. He didn't come when I called. And I was in a hurry. Where was my sweet obedient third child? I began to walk back through the house ... again. I rounded the corner to the den and there he stood, very still, looking up at the wall. This particular wall is home to our families' wedding portraits. And there stood Jake, gazing up as if he had never noticed their presence.

As I took up Sergeant Mommy position, hands on hops, stern look, poised to launch into the "You-are-supposed-to-come-the-first-time-Mommy-calls" lecture, he turned to me with the most serious 3-year-old look. "Mommy! You were Cinderella?!" he said in total surprise. So much for the lecture. I went from Sergeant Mommy to silly putty in ten seconds flat. It was a classic Hallmark moment.

Obviously he had never seen Mommy in a long white wedding gown, and it had captured his attention. As I knelt down to take him in my arms and explain that I as Daddy's bride and not really Cinderella, someone else's attention had been captured ... mine. At that moment time stood still and the Holy Spirit allowed me a glimpse at the future.

One day, not so very far away, Jake will once again be standing very still with his gaze fixed toward a closed door. The door will open, and his own Cinderella will appear. A vision in white with a sweet smile and gentle eyes. Eyes meant only for him. As I desperately fought the onslaught of tears my heart cried out to the Lord, "Please bless him with a godly wife! A wife that loves You more than him!" Then a profound truth took up residence in my heart. Chester and I were not just raising two daughters and a son; we were raising two wives and a husband.

God has entrusted us with the task of raising these three children to become godly spouses. It is our responsibility, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not only to teach them God's Word, but also to model a Christian marriage for them. I know we are not supposed to sweat the small stuff, but Jake needs to learn to open the door for ladies and to offer his seat to women who enter the room. The girls need to learn to encourage and compliment their husbands, and they all need to learn how to do laundry and cook!

I have a sister in Christ somewhere who is counting on me to teach her future son-in-law or daughter-in-law to love the Lord will all their hearts. And I am counting on a sister in Christ to do the same thing!

Powerful huh? Oh, and uh, NO PRESSURE! tee hee!