Have you ever watched a scary movie? Something with sadness or suspense? It’s interesting how music and light are used to convey mood and feelings. Often times in these movies or shows it is night time, or raining. The sky is dark and you can sense the doom and gloom. At the end of the suspense when all is resolved, don’t you feel better? And isn’t it interesting how often light, particularly a sunrise, is used to represent comfort, safety, and peace? You just feel better when you see the light. You know the challenge is coming to an end. The light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.
When I was thinking about our role as mothers, and women of light, I thought of course about this upcoming school year. My oldest is going to be a freshman in high school. I homeschool the four behind him. Last year in February was the first time in a long time I had a child in school. We chose to send him for the last part of his 8th grade year for reasons that outweighed the reasons I wanted to keep homeschooling him.
As a mother and woman of light, I want my home to be a refuge for my children.
I was a middle schooler once, I had an idea of what he would encounter. What I was not ready for was the constant barrage of foul language, sexual content, and general rude behavior of his peers in chat groups and emails. My son does not have a phone and we have pretty tight rules. But he DOES have an iPad and a Chromebook in order to complete his school assignments. Which means he also has access to some social media. I read all his messages, which he knows, and I was appalled by what I read! I asked how he felt about it and he said it made him uncomfortable but that’s just how everyone talks, even in front of the teachers.
Now that is just a small taste of life. Our children leave our homes and go out to face tough things. As a mother and woman of light, I want my home to be a refuge for my children. When they come home for the day I want them to feel the way you feel at the end of a suspenseful movie; peaceful, relieved, grateful. I want them to recognize that being home with family is the safest place for them to be.
I think a woman of light in this sense would be someone who makes a safe place for a friend to share what’s in her heart, no judgement.
Add to that our friendships. I think a woman of light in this sense would be someone who makes a safe place for a friend to share what’s in her heart, no judgement. And in complete confidence, without worry that what you say will be spoken about behind your back. A woman who really loves without holding back, who will sit with you in your grief, who will listen, and who will uplift.
As a wife I think it would look like not complaining about your husband with your girlfriends, asking questions to get his perspective rather than getting angry, thinking the best of him, and listening at the end of a rough day. Being a shoulder to cry on, a best friend to laugh with, and his biggest fan.
Some of these things might come easily to you, some might take some work. But I know that if you want to be better in any of these areas it IS possible. You just have to be patient with your progress. And slowly, one day at a time, as you strive to be a safe place to land, you will see good things happen.
May we see how valuable it is to be a safe-haven, and be that for as many people as we can, but especially our children. May we choose patience over anger, empathy over criticism, and hugs over harsh words. You’ve got this mama! Make it a great school year!
