May Garden
• Oct. 12, 2007 - Blessing our Children verses Cursing them
Three little kittens they lost their mittens, and they began to cry,
"Oh mother dear, we sadly fear that we have lost our mittens."
"What! Lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!
Then you shall have no pie."
"Meeow, meeow, meeow, now we shall have no pie."
The three little kittens they found their mittens,
And they began to cry,
"Oh mother dear, see here, see here
For we have found our mittens."
"Put on your mittens, you silly kittens
And you shall have some pie"
"Meeow, meeow, meeow,
Now let us have some pie."
The three little kittens put on their mittens
And soon ate up the pie,
"Oh mother dear, we greatly fear
That we have soiled our mittens."
"What! soiled you mittens, you naughty kittens!"
Then they began to cry, "Meeow, meeow, meeow"
Then they began to sigh.
The three little kittens they washed their mittens
And hung them out to dry,
"Oh mother dear, do you not hear
That we have washed our mittens."
"What! washed your mittens, you are good kittens."
But I smell a rat close by,
"Meeow, meeow, meeow" we smell a rat close by...
I was thinking on some parenting issues and this poem came to mind. I think we as parent often too easily chastise what is truly just being a child. Constantly talking about bad boy and good boy.
I want to convey a more balanced mind about this to my family.
I do note that even in this little poem the stark reality is shown that obedience is important and the 'problems' of being a child are time consuming. We must all have the ability to focus on other aspects of life like 'catching our dinner'. How often are we so caught up in the current ' clean up job' from the child like 'mistakes' and 'naughtiness' that we don't get dinner on the table or pay a bill or get a project done. I think I have personally been playing a blame game! You naughty kids just won't let us have organization and peace because you never stop well being kids!
I think a lot of my recent 'problem' in trying to mesh with those ultra conservatives was a special lesson I had to learn sooner or later. Sometimes my desire for my children to be more ' model like' is a wrong thing for me to even be praying or urning for.
They are children they have had a special set of circumstances in their lives and to expect them to try to fit into a certain mold that I think is a better example of 'well trained' children is not fair of me. I need to give then grace along with appropriate discipline. AND pray for them more rather than give into worry.
I think this has been a blessing to bring to light that I have been struggling with the Lord over this concept as well. I have more recently thought about the reality that allowing another pregnancy would more than likely slow down the progress that *I* would like to see in the children's behavior.
I am now so ever thankful to be able to focus on that the Lord has plans for us all individually and as a family unit that I can not completely control.
Sometimes I worry over Tim and Lina's strong willed nature. What will the future bring for them. What can I do to help them. Will they someday find themselves having sinned and brought shame on themselves in a very big and public way. Is this something that the Lord might use to humble them and bring them to himself?
Lina is only three and has not a full understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ. Can I expect her to behave perfectly, NO. Can I work with her to the best of my abilities and pray for her YES. I think it is important that I focus on this positive. That I continue on, don't give up but also remember that as much as I "feel" alone in my role as mom I am not. I am NOT alone, I am NOT alone!
Last night I did something I have been wanting to do for a long time. I explained to the children what 'blessing' is and I blessed verbally and heartily did so.
Tonight I will talk to them about 'cursing' and I will ask their forgiveness for all the times I have sent them to bed having drilled
into them how disappointed I was that they were such 'naughty' children. And then I will bless them in prayer once again. Making this a habit.
I would like this to be tradition in our home. To ask for forgiveness for any anger in the day and make sure that my unconditional love is expressed before I send them off to bed.
I pray that this will be of more help to them in their character growth then the millions of times I have ended the day with an attitude of 'just go to bed I am tired of you all. '
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• Oct. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment
This, of course, can be related to our own relationship with our Father. He is ever gentle --has He ever said to you, What is the matter with you? No, He simply says, We need to take care of this issue: come along, I'll be with you while we correct it. If we could only be consistent in doing it *His* way!