I’ve been reading Parenting with Wisdom with friends. We’ve been talking about loving our children the way God made them.
Here’s the question I’m asking myself: What are the particular strengths of the ages my children are right now?
- I’ve got an almost eight year old who is keenly watching my actions to see if I actually do what I’m telling him to do. Think about the potential! That’s an amazing quality, even if it does make me quaver a bit.
- I’ve got a six year old who is delighted with her ability to read. She’ll stay up late to read her Bible. It’s all new right now.
- My four year old wants nothing more than to spend time with me.
What happens when I ignore these qualities because I see all their faults? Will they withdraw into apathy? Find friends who are interested in their lives? Stop watching, stop asking?
I’m praying that God will help me to treasure and enjoy these children he has given me. That my love would draw them to me, just as his love draws me in to himself. I’m praying that for my friends, too.
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
That is definitely one of the themes I am getting from the book! Now if I could just be diligent to get the summaries posted so the thoughts stay in my mind. I find it challenging to love my 2 year old the way God made her because she is so different than me! My 5 year old is a mini-me, literally. We are so alike it’s scary. The other one is nothing like me, and I don’t understand her! But it is my job as her mommy to learn everything I can about her! God created her the way he did for some purpose, even if it is just to further sanctify her sinful mommy!
If we could figure everything out about our children, we wouldn’t need God, I’m thinking. And even the children who are a lot like us surprise us. Yes…. our sanctification.