Love Is a Choice
August 2007
3 CommentsWhen this post was written: First child (D) was 4 yrs, 1 mo. Second child (B) was 2 yrs, 7 mo. Third child (L) was 0 yrs, 9 mo.
Yesterday we continued our talk on loving our children. Here is the paragraph that struck me as quite significant:
Every parent can praise the Lord that his child is fearfully and wonderfully made and known by God. David said, “marvellous are they works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret [quietly hidden], and curiously wrought [developed] in the lowest parts of the earthh [mother's womb]. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect [not yet formed]; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:14-16). [brackets in the original]Â Mothers too often lament the very characteristics God designed for a purpose. How much better to be thankful for a child’s differences and help him refine and use his unique abilities to be all God wants him to be.
I love that last sentence. I’ve complained about the faults of my children more than once, I’ve wished my children were more ________ more than once, I’ve worried about personality tendencies, and even made light of others. Instead, I should be thankful that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, and look in faith to see how God can use them with those characteristics.
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- Thank You for Obedience?
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I have found that many of the attributes of my boys in particular that bug me the most, are probably good characteristics in a man…such as a strong will. I constantly remind myself as they get older, that while I do want them to obey me – they are getting older (9 and almost 11) and the fact that they have strong opinions is also a good thing. I just have to teach them to obey authority…not end their opinion. That realization has changed how I talk with them, and the amount of time I take discussing the “whys”.
1 Shelley Gallamore said this (August 19, 2007 at 8:44 pm)
I also had to do the same (as Shelley wrote about) with my boys. They are both extremely strong willed!
One other struggle I have always had with them is that they both like to be up before the sun! It is a miracle if one sleeps in until after 6:00!! I used to fuss and cry about it all the time and pray that God would have them to sleep in more. One day a friend of mine said to me…”well, at least you know that they will probably not grow up to be lazy men.”
From that day forward I never complained again. I praised God that my Boys had lots of energy and would not need a lot of sleep to stay active and work hard later in life.
2 deidra said this (August 20, 2007 at 9:26 pm)
Thanks both of you for the good and encouraging thoughts. Last night as I picked up some spinach that was dumped on the floor by an unaware child, I had to repent of my anger (I actually stamped my foot) and tell the Lord thank you for my happy child who isn’t burdened by the details of life.
3 Michelle said this (August 21, 2007 at 12:54 pm)