Mom Makes it Safe to Hear Her Daughters Heart

Dear Chris and Anne,

I thought I would share just one of the small yet big things that happened after our time with you in May. After returning home from the Zero to Hero conference, I walked in my kitchen and saw a cross-stitch wall hanging that had been on those walls for over 35 years. I had made this for my mom when I was in highschool and when my parents sold us the house she had left it up. The hanging proclaimed the following…

Rules of the House

• Rule #1 Mom is always right.
• Rule #2 If Mom is wrong see rule #1.

It had always been pretty funny to me as kid because that was the way my mom was and is with my dad but not so much with us kids…however I was the reverse…I was that way with my kids and I had to take it down from the walls.. My oldest daughter was the first to notice it was missing and asked me why. I just explained to her that perhaps that sentiment was true when my kids were under 2 but she knew better than most all the mistakes and errors I had made. I wanted to make sure my kids didn’t think I knew it all when my life revealed something different. She and I had become distant over the past months and it was a frustration to me but I know that my action of taking down those words and explaining my purpose has moved us to a place of safe and real conversation….I am so grateful especially as she is in a serious relationship with a young man and the tools of courageous conversation have allowed me to speak mercy and truth into her life and I have had the treasure of hearing her heart. I have gained so much confidence in the wisdom of God that is in her heart. We are very much in process but so grateful for each step that moves us towards reflecting the mind and heart of Christ. To God be the Glory,

Mom from Maryland