“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
~1 Cor 6:12 (NIV)
All too often as mothers of daughters, we find ourselves running to and fro shuffling our daughters from one activity to the next, pursuing all things girly. We might be following their every whim or following our own memories or following what is fun. No matter what the case may be, we don’t want them to miss out on any opportunities, so we keep running at breakneck speed through their childhood.
But do we stop to consider the lasting merit of all of these activities?
Are we teaching them to pursue activities that will enhance their someday-adult world? Are we encouraging them in self-centered or selfless pursuits? Are we simply thinking about what is fun, with nary a care for tomorrow and the woman they will become?
Our family has guidelines to govern what outside activities we pursue. We want to:
- benefit our future calling
Yet I still find myself caught up in wanting to plug my daughters in to every little class and club out there. It is a constant battle that makes me ever-so-thankful we do have set guidelines. It is my hope and prayer that by holding to these, we are showing our daughters we care deeply about the women they will become and the childhood pursuits that will build and edify those women.