I am on a field trip with my youngest daughter’s class. There is nothing quite like being on a bus with a group of giggly 7-year-olds. We started our adventure at 6:30 a.m., which is a little early for this mama. I had to “arise while it was yet night” in order to get my bible study and prayer time accomplished before I left. During my prayers, I asked God to give me patience and joy for this day, as I knew I would need it.

I have found myself being a little hard on my daughter lately. I have been frustrated by her inability to follow directions, her adeptness at tattling, and her ability to lose vital things such as homework and shoes. I have lost my patience more than once recently, and you might say she and I have been in a battle of wills. This little girl really knows how to push my buttons!

But today is a new day…a beautiful new day that the Lord has made. It is my choice to rejoice and be glad in it. It is my choice to let the frustrations of the last few days roll off my heart and embrace this opportunity to spend the day with my princess, enjoying a wonderful experience that will create a lifetime of memories.

Already today, I have heard her friend tell her, “Your mom is nice.” I WANT to be a nice mom. I want to be a mama who laughs, cuddles, and shares secrets. I want to be a mama who has forgiveness in her heart, just like God has for me. Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

One day all too soon my little girl will be grown. She will move on to her own life with her own family. I will look back on this time in our lives and remember. I doubt I will remember the lost shoes, the messy room, the missing homework, or the tattling. Most likely I will remember her precious hugs, sweet kisses, beautiful smile, and adorable laughter. I will reflect on her kindness to others, her bubbly personality, her sassy walk, and her flair for fashion. Most definitely, I will remember her innocence and her unquestionable love for Jesus.

Lord, help me in my moments of frustration to remember the bigger picture. Help me to embrace and cherish this beautiful gift and make a wonderful difference in her life. When she looks back on today, let her remember what a great day we had, and that she really does have “a nice mom.”

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)