The Eternal Mark of a Mom: Shaping the World through the Heart of a Child

A nurturing mother is vital to the character and future of a child. But what is a nurturing mother? Linda Weber describes in detail how important it is for moms in all situations to focus on nurturing the hearts and souls of their children, and she shows them how to do so. By sharing encouraging true stories?including her own?and new research, Weber offers moms a detailed and updated rationale that defends the value of motherhood while urging women to embrace the value and power of their role. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. The Eternal Mark of a MomShaping the World through the Heart of Your ChildBy Linda WeberTyndale House PublishersCopyright © 2019 Linda WeberAll rights reserved.ISBN: 978-1-58997-967-3ContentsIntroduction, xiii, 1. Do Well-Adjusted Kids Just Happen?, 1, 2. Is There Light at the End of This Tunnel?, 11, 3. Did You Say Just a Mother?, 21, 4. Can We Really Make a Difference?, 33, 5. Oh, They'll Turn Out All Right ... Won't They?, 49, 6. What Is Nurturing, Anyway?, 61, 7. The Nurturing Process, Part 1, 69, 8. The Nurturing Process, Part 2, 85, 9. How Can the Single Mom Do It?, 103, 10. What Is Quality Child Care?, 113, 11. But What About Personal Fulfillment?, 123, 12. What Do You Say to the Working Mom?, 133, 13. What Do You Do When Your World Falls Apart?, 145, 14. Measuring Your Eternal Mark as a Mom, 159, 15. Are You a Team Player?, 175, 16. Do I Have to Let Go?, 185, Afterword: How Does God Fit In?, 207, Appendix: What in the World Does Mom Do All Day?, 217, Acknowledgments, 227, Notes, 29, About the Author, 239, CHAPTER 1DO WELL-ADJUSTED KIDS JUST HAPPEN?As a mom, you've probably given deeply of yourself to your children - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. On hard days, you may sometimes wonder if it's all worth it, whether what you do day in and day out really matters in your child's life.I'm here to tell you that everything you do as a mom is definitely worth it. And your role as a mother does matter - immensely!Consider this Facebook post I came upon that took my breath away. I hope this post will motivate you to never give up and to realize that your behind-the-scenes work as a mother changes many lives for the good.There once was a young boy who had potential, but he did not know it. However ... the boy had a mother, who was always active and on alert. Her work would soon help him see the potential he possessed. It seemed as though she never slept. She was always awake when he awoke and worked hard far after he fell asleep.Every time the boy's heart hurt, his mother was there to fill him with comfort and confidence. Every time there was danger, she scared off his aggressors. Every time the boy was sick, she cared for him. Every time he had the flu and vomited, she was right there rubbing his back, telling him it would soon pass.Every night, and through the day, she would sing with him and taught him to be joyful despite life's circumstances. She constantly made him food, washed his clothes, cleaned up his messes, and navigated his dangerous and adventurous world to keep him safe. She not only tolerated his constant noise and activity that annoyed everyone else, but she also loved it.He could tell she loved him. She put her life and desires on hold for his. With each act of love, even those the boy didn't understand at his young age, it strengthened his young heart and gave him courage and peace that would last a lifetime. When the boy became a man, he realized that his mother's tireless, selfless acts were responsible for everything he had, and all that he knew, every outlook he had, and the fun he always encountered.When life became difficult for the young man as he grew, he knew he could not only make it through it but he could also come out on top, with joy and having learned something, because he remembered his mom's commitment as she tackled countless unknown obstacles for him. When the boy's obstacles came, he could h