Sometimes I feel like life runs past me in a whirlwind.
I many times wonder in the chaos and craziness, if all those great values I once thought of instilling in my children were making it in there somewhere.
You know...I was a perfect parent before I had children. I had visions of sitting quietly reading Bible verses and expounding life truths to my kids.
And then I *had* kids.
Life seems to get in the way a lot. You know, dishes and laundry and straightening up and dogs that need to go to the vet and vacuuming and sorting and mail and bills...all the "important" stuff.
I worry that my poor kids are going to have to pick up life's lessons via osmosis.
Or worse (and more likely the case), see our bad habits and pick up on those.
We mess up a lot.
We don't do as much as we should
We drop the ball.
But, we try.
We pray before bed with Henry every night.
He can.not sleep unless we've prayed.
Even at naptime.
And if there is someone in town visiting with us, they MUST also join in the family prayer time. He insists.
He jumps right in on cue: "...in Jesus' name..."
"A-MEN!"
In fact, he made the entire congregation giggle in church a couple of weeks back...his sweet and exuberant A-MEN after a prayer...
Made a mama beam with pride.
(Even if deep down I know he doesn't really understand).
And lately, he's been adding in his own comments during prayer times...
"Dear Lord, thank you for a good day today and that we were able to see our friends...
AND I FALL DOWN AND MAMA GIVE ME A BAND AID...
and that I have a mommy to take care of me...
AND DADDY GO BYE BYE IN AN AIRPLANE...
and that daddy travels safely...
AND MY FRIEND RIDE MY HORSIE...
and that we have great friends and that I have toys to share...
AND THE SUN COME OUT AND I PLAY IN THE BACKYARD...
and that You blessed us with a beautiful day and a home where we can safely play...
AND I FIND MY CROCS IN THE GARDEN...
and that we are blessed to have shoes and that I was able to find them.
In Jesus' Name...
AAAA-MEN!"
The sweet unscripted and innocent prayers of a 2 year old little boy remind me that it really is all in the little things...and that I not only have much to be thankful for...but that I am to be thankful for ALL things...even for band aids with Transformers on them...and that we have a lot of room for improvement, but maybe we aren't doing so bad as parents after all...
I can't wait to see his faith become his own.
I just pray that we don't lose sight of our real calling as parents in the midst of "life".
I many times wonder in the chaos and craziness, if all those great values I once thought of instilling in my children were making it in there somewhere.
You know...I was a perfect parent before I had children. I had visions of sitting quietly reading Bible verses and expounding life truths to my kids.
And then I *had* kids.
Life seems to get in the way a lot. You know, dishes and laundry and straightening up and dogs that need to go to the vet and vacuuming and sorting and mail and bills...all the "important" stuff.
I worry that my poor kids are going to have to pick up life's lessons via osmosis.
Or worse (and more likely the case), see our bad habits and pick up on those.
We mess up a lot.
We don't do as much as we should
We drop the ball.
But, we try.
We pray before bed with Henry every night.
He can.not sleep unless we've prayed.
Even at naptime.
And if there is someone in town visiting with us, they MUST also join in the family prayer time. He insists.
He jumps right in on cue: "...in Jesus' name..."
"A-MEN!"
In fact, he made the entire congregation giggle in church a couple of weeks back...his sweet and exuberant A-MEN after a prayer...
Made a mama beam with pride.
(Even if deep down I know he doesn't really understand).
And lately, he's been adding in his own comments during prayer times...
"Dear Lord, thank you for a good day today and that we were able to see our friends...
AND I FALL DOWN AND MAMA GIVE ME A BAND AID...
and that I have a mommy to take care of me...
AND DADDY GO BYE BYE IN AN AIRPLANE...
and that daddy travels safely...
AND MY FRIEND RIDE MY HORSIE...
and that we have great friends and that I have toys to share...
AND THE SUN COME OUT AND I PLAY IN THE BACKYARD...
and that You blessed us with a beautiful day and a home where we can safely play...
AND I FIND MY CROCS IN THE GARDEN...
and that we are blessed to have shoes and that I was able to find them.
In Jesus' Name...
AAAA-MEN!"
The sweet unscripted and innocent prayers of a 2 year old little boy remind me that it really is all in the little things...and that I not only have much to be thankful for...but that I am to be thankful for ALL things...even for band aids with Transformers on them...and that we have a lot of room for improvement, but maybe we aren't doing so bad as parents after all...
I can't wait to see his faith become his own.
I just pray that we don't lose sight of our real calling as parents in the midst of "life".
4 comments:
Amen to that, sweet Henry!
(This is priceless, Jeannett!)
A-MEN!!!!! Honestly speaking, I don't want to be one of those freaky Jesus families, but at the same time I see something in that. Because life tends to get in the way, so maybe being freaky helps. I don't know. But, I'm hoping and praying that I won't care as much about being freaky and will care more for what's important. My chapter in that book I've been raving about was about this very topic.
Nice, Jeannett. Way to go, Henry! You keep on praying those prayers. God hears ya.
awww ... this is so precious! i love hearing what my kids think is important to pray for/about!!
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