The Lord tells us that “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring are a reward from Him,” Psalm 127. But, how many moms and dads are ready to take a deep breath from the longest winter break on earth? I almost feel guilty saying that it’s time to get back into the swing of things, especially since we all know our time is so precious with our babes.
How many of your children are gonna report to class this week and when their teacher asks, “How was your break? What did you do with your family?,” you know they are going to say, “Well, we really didn’t do much.” ARGGGGG! I have had to remind myself during the trips to the trampoline park, indoor playgrounds, bowling, movies etc., that their little minds may just not remember all the fun things we have done. They may just remember today. They may only tell the teacher what you did the night before or even that morning. All that work to “create memories” and lasting visions of the best Christmas break EVER comes down to “we didn’t do anything!” As frustrating and exhausting as it can be it makes me think about their little short term memories. God wants us to live in the present. He wants us to have a childlike faith and if you ask me, have fun just like a child.
In the grind of the day in and day out with our children, we pour all we have into making sure they have a memorable childhood.
Psalm 139: 13-16 says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Being a parent is so much more than racing around and bouncing from activity to activity. When you stop and think on it, it is overwhelming the responsibility we are charged with from God to raise up these little humans to have character, do the right thing (in the absence of an audience), be kind, love themselves and love others. I am reminded by our parents that the days are long, but the years are short.
This picture reminds me of those memories we strive for rain or shine, too young or not. Looks fun right? Hahaha. It certainly reminds me of all the life that has happen in the middle since 2012. I mean no one wants to be that mom who doesn’t take their kids to see Santa right? But now, I have seven-year-olds who had no interest because they said, “You know that is just a store Santa.” My. Heart. Just. Shattered. That was just a store Santa, but you still LOVE that Elf on the Shelf crap! Excuse me, but that is another example of what we do to create magic in their childhood. Bottom line, I am sure none of us would take it back. I know I would not.
In my rant about raising kids and making sure they are having a blissful life existence, please remember this. Who they are matters, not what they do. Now, please don’t take that the wrong way. I am all for family experiences, traveling, learning, projects, sports and activities etc. Let’s spend 2019 focusing more of the WHO and not so much the WHAT. Hone in on challenging your children to think about others. Teach them how helping humanity makes our world better. Show them love by being love. Being happy. Being healthy YOURSELF. It’s not easy. It’s not easy to be YOU and be there for them. Many of us sacrifice for their well-being over our own. But, let’s remember that God entrusted us with this responsibility to build up our world. To teach more about love. AND to raise these children to know there is always someone who needs someone in their life. It is not just all about them. Remember to give more of what is important to your children, so you can firmly plant your heart in who HE says they are in this world and not who the world says that are supposed to be or do.
More surprise snow ball fights at night (for those who did that as well), random nights out to dinner even when its late, and family personal missions filled with doing for others.
And also, let’s hope they actually tell their teachers they had a great time with their family – if that’s all they do remember!
Love and blessings to you all.
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