One Christmas Eve, when I was already pushed to the limit, a restaurant worker made a disparaging comment about one of my kids.  Without thinking, I leaned in close and hissed at the woman (and I quote) “If you say that again, I will go for your throat!”

A half hour earlier I had been singing “Joy to the World” with a candle in my hand.

Such are the holidays of an average family.

I could come up with a number of excuses for that comment, and I dearly wish I could apologize now to the woman in question.  But the whole scene did highlight an important parenting principle.

Sometimes you have to be fierce to defend your child.

Fierce comes from a very deep place. In fact, parents are hard-wired to protect and defend their children.   Fierce kicks in when we feel our child is being threatened.

• Like the father who runs across the soccer field to pull a kindergartener off his young son in the midst of a scuffle. Fierce!
• Like the mom who threatens to call the mom of the mean girl, over the shrieks of her daughter! Fierce!!
• Like the parent who puts herself between her child and a demeaning coach, or between her child and a threatening dog!   Fierce!
• Like the new parents who relentlessly ask their doctor every question, over and over again, until they understand their child’s condition! Fierce!

Fierceness can sometimes come out in less than pleasing ways .  (Like the “go for your throat” comment. Sorry again restaurant lady!!)

But it does come from the right motive. The world can be a scary and unkind place; and kids need parents who will stand by them and stand up for them.

It’s not like every day I have my armor on and my sword drawn to do battle with the world to protect my child.  But like an Avenger, I can transform at any time to become the protector and defender my child needs.

When my kids are threatened or vulnerable, my love is fierce. And so is yours!

“Love burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame, many waters cannot quench it.”  King Solomon