Discovering what love is one day at a time
When I arrived back at the fire pit the evidence of a fresh smore was written all over the face and hands of the younger of the two boys. Time sure does fly, my children now make me my smores, and I am asked by the cooker, “Hey, Mom, do you want yours cooked fast and furiously, or slow and golden.” There was a time that you could ask specifically, and know that it would be done one way and one way only….flaming.
According to my boys summer does not officially start until Thursday when they get off the bus. I cannot wait. Summer=more, more time to be with my kids, more conversation, more singing, dancing, more laughter, more hugs, more adventures, more snacks, more groceries, more growing. Summer is definitely a growing season, and I am not just talking about veggies. A growing season for relationships and seeing life through the eyes of my children. That equates to more growth for me. It stretches me, encourages me convicts me, and grows me. I crave the quiet and bustling days of activity of summer. I love the plethora of shoes of various sizes that belong to all ages that gather at the front door, and do not always go home with the one that wore them. I love the different heights of finger prints and nose prints on the glass of the doors, the wet footprints down the hallway, and the trail of brownie crumbs from the pan out the door. I also love the choir of voices and the giggles of the kids of various ages eating lunch on the deck, spitting watermelon seeds, or trying to see how many cheese balls they can get in their mouth at a time. I like to be spectator, but love when they say,”Wanna try?” Time- invested time in relationships allows you to SEE with your heart. It also helps you to see the messes you have created and provides the opportunities to make things right. Time allows for authentic conversations, conversations about dreams, hopes, and fears. Topics that you sometimes need a whole day to get to the bottom of. Sometimes it only takes five minutes. Time allows for just that…time to rest with one another, where words are optional. The summer schedule also provides the time and opportunity for me to see areas where I have been over-parenting, which translates into controlling, and not truly parenting, which really should look like facilitating growth. I already have been faced with my mistakes in that area and I am not willing to allow my bad behavior to continue. I am unwilling to walk around that mountain again. Not just for me, but for their sakes. I do not want to be lazy or unwilling in facilitating their growth as men that say that they love God. I am not in control of what that is. However, I desire to be committed at a deeper level in seeking the Lord’s direction and wisdom in what it should look like for each of my boys. I desire to grow more in my parenting skills, have deeper relationships with my boys, and remove old patterns of my behavior that are in the way and are not benefitting my family, and continue to help them with their own stuff as well. “I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for He speaks peace to His faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.”Psalm 85:8-9
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AuthorI have been married to my wonderful husband for 29 years. We have two young men ages 25 and 20.. This blog is somewhat of a journal and attempt for me to remind myself of my purpose and invite others to join me in keeping an eternal perspective as we move through each day. Archives
May 2023
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