"Not Quite Perfect"

"May I go now?" the almost completed, eager mother asked.
"Not yet. There are essential parts and finishing touches to be added,"
her Maker replied.

"I look pretty good to me," she said, peering into the crystal pool at her
feet. "True, you're looking better all the time. But bear with me."
"What does a mother have to do, God, besides wash, feed, and clothe little
bodies?"
God only smiled and continued working.

"What are you doing now?" the curious mother-to-be questioned.
"Tightening your anger valve. If this doesn't work, everyone is in
trouble."
She watched as He reached for the container marked patience.
"And what do I need patience for?" she asked as He poured in quite a
supply. "After a week you will know, my child.

"And whatever could that be?"
"This is your bypass mechanism. It enables a mother to operate efficiently
for long periods of time without compliments from her children."
"I'm sure I won't need that." "I'm sure you will."

Then God reached for a bundle labeled insulation against loud noises.
"You can skip that," she told him. "I don't mind a little noise."
"That's nice," He said.

Seeing all the energy He was preparing to give her, she shifted uneasily
from
one foot to the other. "I wouldn't need all that energy in a million
years."
"Little you know. You will use all of this and be begging for more before
long."

"I didn't know there was so much involved in being a mother. You're not
just
putting me on, are you?" "No, little mother."

With much apprehension, "Are you sure I can handle the job?"
"Quite sure...with help. I'm always available when you need me."

"I'm glad to know that. What could I possibly need all these for?"
"A certain amount of pain, so that you will be fully equipped to
sympathize
with and minister to the needs of your children when they feel pain;
tears,
so that you will be able to cry with them when they are hurt; and
laughter to blend with theirs for happy times."

The mother-in-waiting fidgeted while God attached yes and no buttons.
"Wouldn't it be nicer just to say yes to my children all the time?"
"Definitely not. Good mothers need to say no--and often. Say it with
kindness
and they will respect you for it."

"Have you equipped me with this thing called kindness, Lord?"
"I have indeed." "And what about respect? Do I have to respect my
children?"
"Absolutely."

The anxious mother tried to be patient as God installed a question
answerer,
advice giver, get along without sleep, and a pretender not to notice. "I
know
I wouldn't use one of those!" she said, as God came toward her
with a let-go lever. "Sure you will, though it's hard. This is a vital
piece
of equipment.

Until this little lever is released, your children will not have room to
grow properly, make their own decisions, or develop their own
personalities."
"I guess that is important."

God stood back a few steps to appraise His work, then reached for a coat
of
love and wrapped it around her. "Wear this at all times, and you'll be a
good
mother."

"Am I ready now, God, to get on with the mothering bit?"

"You can go now," God said gently. "You're not perfect, but you will do."
Author Unknown

"It Is No Secret"

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August 2000