The Origin of “That Mama”

The ability to devote time to blogging has always been a desire of mine.  I have a passion for a few specific things in life: I love fellowship with friends, fitness, cooking and baking, and saving money (hello couponers!) My vision was always to have a blog that shared that passion and told a story. I didn’t realize that the Lord was saving this desire to lead me to share that passion through the eyes of a new mother. So the idea was present. But I had to answer a few questions. First, what to call the blog, and what was the specific purpose? Next, who was the audience going to be, and would anyone care to read it? The second question will undoubtedly answer itself.  The answer to the first question is a bit more important. And here’s how it was answered…

Since being blessed with our daughter, life is definitely full of exciting adventures. They just now mostly take place in the confines of our house! Addisyn was born at a good time to get out and get moving, which I did just days after her birth, but our adventures outside the home mostly comprise of daily walks, the rush to the store, gatherings at friends houses, and trips to the softball field to watch my husband play on weekends. On a particularly hot  May Saturday just last week, at which I questioned the decisions as a new mother to have my 6 week old daughter at the softball field out in the heat, the blog was named.  Of course, I didn’t realize the event that took place would lead to a name and my decision to make my blog public for the glory of God. A close friend’s adorable four year old son wanted to go to the park while the double header softball game stretched on in the heat.  Addisyn and I greatly obliged and retreated to the nearby play area that was a bit more shaded under the trees. As I stood holding my 6 week old daughter, a group of young boys began chasing my friend’s son calling him names and mocking him. I immediately notified my sweet young friend that he didn’t have to play with people who treated him that way, and suggested the group of boys to find someone else to play with.  Moments later, I noticed the same group of boys bullying a young girl.  (Basic facts: these children were six years old at best, with no parental supervision because they had walked over from a cookout at a nearby shelter.) The group refused to let the girl through to the other side of a bridge on the playground equipment (#playgroundproblems, I know, just stay with me!) The group yelled things like, “we’re a gang, we’re the army, we make the rules, you have to go away!” The young girl was determined to play but stood there as the boys berated her.  The third grade teacher in me could not stand idly as a group of parents who had gathered and were now calling for their own children.  I approached the girl asking if she knew the boys, and if they were amidst play. When she looked at me with a slight tear in her voice and said no, I addressed the boys asking them to let her pass and letting them know their behavior was less than that of a gentleman. Business on the playground returned as usual.  My little buddy and I had a fabulous time and engaged in some swinging, climbing, and rocket-ship action.  Just then, one of the boys ran to the group of other boys and said he had a plan, “but first,” he said, “we need to move away from the mama.”  Another boy in the group looked over to a woman on the swings and stated, “the mama is over there, she’s not even looking at us!”  Just then, the young boy turned to his friend and exclaimed, “not that mama,” he said, turning an pointing directly at me…”THAT mama!”   I had only been a mother for 6 weeks, and I had already earned a mom badge on the playground. As I stood there holding my sweet little girl, I smiled.  I realized I was exactly that Mama.

What qualities had I shown that set me apart from the other parents on the playground that day? I addressed a situation.  The teacher came out in me and advocated for a little girl.  The compassionate parent in me encouraged the boys to be more, even on the playground… and the boys had noticed.  In life we often face fortresses of various shapes, sizes, and complexity.  When we feel trapped or attacked, God is our refuge in those times.  He comes in and addresses the situation even before we call on Him.  He is aware of our predicament, and He is ready to come to our defense.  He advocates for us. He encourages us to be more, to see our full potential.  He is the watchful parent on our playground.  When we fall into Jesus during these moments, enemies are crushed, locked doors are opened, armies are defeated, fortresses are penetrated, and we are victorious with God.

Psalm 18:2- “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”

So back to our unanswered question… you get the name of the blog and have heard the story.  But what about the purpose?  Well…that’s for God to ultimately decide.