First read this blog:
I read this article about a month ago and it resonated so much with me. All the time I'm thinking, planning, preparing and praying for everyone around me. I pray for Tye and for each one of my kids every day. In moments of defeat I'll pray for the patience to get through the moment. I'll mumble a little saying to myself and try hard to think about how my actions will be perceived by my little ones. Am I getting my point across? Am I scaring it across or am I doing it in a godly way? Now don't get me wrong I want my children to have a little bit of fear. I want them to know when I mean business BUT I want them to know that they mean more to me than anything in the world. I want them to never ever be afraid to tell the truth and to ask questions.
It's not a surprise to say that things can get crazy around here. I'm not perfect and they aren't perfect. I can't tell you how many times I've thought to myself tomorrow will be better, tomorrow I will do better. I loved this article because it reminded me that hard work does matter. Parenting isn't easy. It doesn't matter if you have one child or four. For every time I've had to say: we don't hit, we don't put our hands on other people when we are mad, we don't call people stinky, we don't say hate, we pickup after ourselves, we don't lock our brother out of his own room, we don't roll our eyes, we don't slam our door, we don't grunt, moan and groan when we are told to do something, we help each other, boys hold the door open for girls, we don't scratch each other, we have to share even if we don't want to, we have to obey even if we don't want to, we love each other always even when we may not like each other very much I know that those things matter far more than just in the moment. To teach our children how to be men and women of God someday we have to teach the basics first.
I don't think that doing better means peace right now. It doesn't mean fighting less. It means fighting right and godly and holy. It means that I can make sure that I'm reacting, teaching and loving them the best way that I know how. The more and more our world continues to crumble and things/people around us start to feel like it can't get any worse I pray for my children. I pray for me and Tye to be the parents that can show them Christ. HE is the only answer. I want them to understand that when you disagree with someone else whether it be life choices or something they said you can't put your hands on them. I want them to value life and understand that it is precious. I want them to know how to love. Not just say they love everyone but have a genuine love that means sometimes you don't love what they have done or are doing but you love them because they are a child of God. I want them to know that words can hurt. Sometimes even more than fists. I want them to respect authority and in my absence someday know when to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. I want my boys to respect women, be spiritual leaders and provide for their families. I want my girls to respect their bodies, to know they are worthy and cherish their husbands.
This all means that it's going to be a struggle. It's going to be a fight sometimes. I tell my kids all the time to always do your best. It doesn't matter if it's brushing your teeth or cleaning your room. Parenting isn't something you just figure out one day. It's a life long commitment. It's a commitment I made to them and to God the day they were born to always do my best and when I've failed to check myself and pray.
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