I have homework every afternoon now. Scratch that. Livia has homework, I am the Homework Helper.

The Homework Helper reminds, points, encourages, redirects, corrects and sometimes throws a pencil across the room.

Deep sigh.

I am being sanctified by daily homework. God has given me Livia and he has given her homework, and in doing this he has given me an opportunity to serve him. He is gradually building a Homework Helper who does not throw a pencil across the room but one who tries to take deep breaths, sometimes takes self-imposed time outs (while the actual student takes one, too) and learns to be patient. Make that extra patient. Screw extra patience, this patience he is teaching me is supernatural—I am not capable of it on my own.

As great as I am at second grade homework, I fail at gentle motherhood on a regular basis. My desire to be The Most Awesome Mother Ever isn’t enough here. It doesn’t get me through the frustrations of parenting a child and it certainly doesn’t win me brownie points in heaven. I cannot do this job. But God? He handpicked me for this exact role and he’s working in me to make me a great mom for a great kid.

He gently leads those who have young, he carries them close to his heart.

What a relief.