THE HANDKERCHIEF: AN ESSENTIAL TOOL OF MOTHERHOOD

Practical Uses For Mom’s Handkerchief
-Shooing a Fly (Or a child that is underfoot)
-As a Dust Rag (Useful when company arrives unexpectedly)
-Cleaning a Spill (Usually a grandmother, keeping a child from getting in trouble.)
-Opening or Closing Restroom Doors (Preceded by, “Don’t touch that!”)
-Unscrewing Jar Lid (Mom acquires superhero strength.)
-A Sachet Strategically Placed (Children love to smell where Mom has been.)
-Baby Pacifier (Filled with a bit of sugar and tied for sucking)

Things Kids Hate Mom’s Handkerchief For
-Blowing and Wiping a Child’s Nose (The child must blow until there is evidence.)
-Catching a Sneeze (Aww, Mom, it was gonna be a good one!)
-Drying a Child’s Hands (Before they wipe them on their clothes)
-Cleaning a Face (Accompanied by Mom’s spit)
-As a Napkin to Protect Shirt (How embarrassing!)
-Shining Church Shoes (Is that mud or something else?)

Things Kids Love Mom’s Handkerchief For
-Disposing of Unchewable Bites of Food (Preteens are even thankful for this)
-Presenting a Hidden Cookie (Usually by a grandmother)
-Squashing and/or Removing Offending Insect (Especially awe-inspiring to a toddler)

Things Kids Might Use Mom’s Handkerchief For
-Impromptu Puppet (Children of all ages know how the make these.)
-Parachute (Especially great with a bit of string and a plastic army man.)
-To Run Away From Home (Used to tie a biscuit or cookie up for the road. This child is often home before Mom realizes he/she has run away.)

The Handkerchief Is Symbolic of a Mother’s Love
-Giving a Pat on the Back (“Good job!” or “You can do this.”)
-Mopping a Feverish Forehead (It’s going to be all right. Momma’s here.”)
-Wiping a Tear From an Eye (“I understand.”)
-Having a Good Cry (In my naivety, I thought raising kids would get easier.)
-Prayer Cloth (Anointed and tucked under a mattress or sent through the mail)
-Praise/Wave Offering/Surrendering

(Father, I thank you for these children that I am not worthy of. They are so much more than I was at their age. They are so incredible, beautiful, gifted and anointed.

I’m not asking that they fill some great position in men’s eyes. I’m not even asking that they fill some great position in the Church. But, Father, I do ask that each one will be useful to the Kingdom, for your glory and that, most of all, they will be saved. I pray that you wouldn’t have to deal tragically with any of them, but Lord, whatever it takes, don’t let them be lost. I pray that they would always be sensitive to the moving of your Spirit and alert to the sound of your voice.

I praise you for giving them to me for this short season. I know that I’ve made serious mistakes in raising them and ask that you fix all that I’ve messed up. Work in their lives in spite of me, Lord. I hold them up before your throne and I surrender my will for their lives to you. I plead the Blood of Jesus over them for protection, direction and inspiration. Keep them in your mighty hand all the days of their lives. In Jesus’ name.)