My oldest son, Harry, was a very early walker. At 10 months old he was not only walking but learning how to run and his pace never eased until he mastered the art of bolting!

It was a super exciting time as we poured all our energy and encouragement into cheering him on giving him the confidence to flourish in his newfound freedom outside of his known pram life.

I recall so clearly, it was a hot Summer’s day meeting up with my Mothers Group at a local park for a relaxing picnic and a long-awaited catch-up.

I was so looking forward to the outing and it turns out so was Harry!!

We said a very brief hello, set up the picnic rug, popped my bag down and boom! Just like that Harry was off like a racehorse letting those unsteady little feet take him (and I!) further away from our friends.

No exaggerations…for 2 hours, YES…2 hours I followed this adventurous little boy everywhere except the one place I wanted so much to be, back with our group.

I was 5 months pregnant with my second son Liam and super uncomfortable sweating it out as my junior personal trainer had me doing shuttle runs in the intense heat.

I was incredibly disheartened and somewhat frustrated with Harry as I glanced in the direction of our friends relaxing, laughing and seemingly having a lot of fun.

I wished so much it was my child who was sitting nicely and letting mummy enjoy the company and chit chat.

My friends voiced that they’d wished their children would be up and moving like Harry.  I could only respond that catch-ups were rather pointless for me unless I had Harry strapped into a high chair so I could actually sit and socialise.

It’s ironic how in our human nature, the grass sometimes appears greener on the other side, where in fact it’s greener where we water it.

It seems in parenting we are excited to reach new stages or phases in both our children’s and our lives, yet it’s all too easy to both consciously and subconsciously compare ourselves to others and seem to want what others have and are not entirely content in the given moment.

On reflection over the years driving past this particular park I am forever reminded of this memory and my frustrations of that morning.

I am extremely grateful for what I thought at the time to be a challenging ‘Mum Moment’ as in life we can make plans with the best intentions and equally life happens (or Harry walks!) and it’s in those moments it’s how we respond or react that reveal and show our true character.

I am still learning daily that God is more concerned about the condition of my heart and the attitudes I display rather than my own comfort, well-meaning plans and intentions.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens!

This is a favourite verse for me personally, yet one that carries immense challenge and weight to it.

I encourage you to write this verse down, put it on your fridge, in your car, anywhere that you will see it and speak it out.

How very different my morning experience could have been if I had exchanged all my wasted negative energy into praising and thanking God for Harry’s and my time together at the park.

I am so grateful for all these learning curves as it’s in these little and seemingly insignificant everyday moments that God can do His best work in our character development and attitude improvement.

I would encourage you to think on some challenging times in your parenting journey that you feel you perhaps didn’t respond well to or didn’t foster the right attitude.

I want to remind and reassure you that you are not alone, we all fall short in this area time and time again.

Through God’s Word, He sends His Holy Spirit to teach and guide us in developing our character to be more like Him.

Isaiah 55:8 “For my (God’s) thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

So submit your thoughts and plans to God as He will bless them beyond your expectations!

Be blessed!