When I think of the countless things that have molded me in to who I am, the things that have revealed strengths and weaknesses, when I contemplate all of the influences in my life, I can think of nothing that has impacted me in more profound ways than the lives of my children.
My first child, beautiful and truly the model 'baby', pulled me fully in to adulthood in a way nothing else could - a life completely dependent on me. Never before have I been more overwhelmed by my mortality because I was faced full on with the reality of hers.
Eventually, our family grew to 4 beautiful children with 4 completely different personalities - funny, studious, quiet, gentle, kind..... on and on I could go ~ but of course there was ornery, stubborn, impatient, outspoken.....
There is no set way to train this diverse group of people, no single communication style, no set 'perfect discipline', each needs a custom parenting style, each has a different set of strengths and weaknesses, different circumstances and challenges...
As we strive to meet the needs of our children, to rise to the challenges of raising and nurturing the beautiful souls entrusted to us for such a brief time, we learn so much about ourselves. Our weaknesses are revealed and so are our strengths - our children often mirror our attitudes, if not magnify them! And oh boy! what we may see!!!
Have you ever seen an enthusiastic Hawkeye fan - who is all of 4 years old?? Where do you think he gets this? Seriously, I doubt he has personally formed opinions on the offensive line up, or the defense strategies used by the Iowa Hawkeye football coaches - no, he mirrors and adopts, forms an allegiance - even falls in love with that which his parents love, those who his parents follow - it's obvious where the parents stand and you know, this kid will be an inexplicably faithful fan - probably until the day he dies - what an image!
So, can you imagine if his dad was this in love with his Lord and Savior?! If his family surrounded themselves with His word, planned parties and events to honor and celebrate Him - if He was associated with great joy and blessings - can you imagine if a child so fell in love with their Lord that they have no memory of not feeling this way - and when anyone came in to contact with this child, they knew - they knew where his allegiance lies, to whom his heart was devoted? can you imagine? - what an image!
To become the parents our children need, we must be stretched and we must grow, we must be humbled and we must be strengthened and lifted up ~ but most of all, we must be deeply and truly in love with our Lord and Savior. God gave us this task, he most certainly will equip us for it ~ and it seems that He also uses the very children entrusted to us to be a source of growth in us - how very grateful I am for the wonderful lessons we learn from our children <3
Well said!
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