Aug. 15, 2007
Children Wont Wait
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Five years ago today I stopped my nursing career to home school my children. Today someone asked me do I regret giving up my career. The answer is a resounding no. I know that what is going to matter in the long run is not that my children went on big overseas holidays as children, or they had the latest computer game. What is going to matter is that they are secure in who they are, that they are a blessing to others, that they know and love God and to them our family is the best family in the world. I am reminded of the Poem below. The first time I read it I was at work after kissing my 3yo and 1yo goodbye in the name of pursuit of my career. I remember after reading it I went to the toilets and cried. Even though at the time I was only working one or two days a week it made me think, it still though took me a few more years to give up my career. Today my 10 year old son thanked me for taking him on excursions and teaching him and told me I am the best mum in the world. My 12yo daughter who made me lunch for the excursion put a note in my lunch box telling me how much she loves me and what a great teacher I am. Do I regret giving up my career for that. No way!! The last verse of the poem puts it well. The rest of the poem follows: May I know that NO OTHER CAREER IS SO PRECIOUS; no other work is so rewarding, no other task so urgent. May I not defer it nor neglect it, but by Thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by They grace realize that THE TIME IS SHORT and MY TIME IS NOW, for CHILDREN WON’T WAIT. "Children Won't Wait" by Cathlyn Cartier There is a time to anticipate the baby’s coming; a time to consult a doctor; a time to plan and diet and exercise’ a time to gather a layette. There is a time to wonder at the ways of God, knowing that this is the destiny for which I was crafted; a time to pray that God will teach me how to train this child which I bear; a time to prepare myself that I might nurture his soul-- But soon there comes the time for birth, FOR BABIES WON’T WAIT. There is a time for night feedings, and colic and formulas; There is a time for rocking and a time for walking the floor; a time for patience and self-sacrifice; a time to show him that his new world is a world of love and goodness and dependability. There is a time to ponder what he is -- not a pet nor a toy, but a person, an individual a soul made in God’s image. There is a time to consider my stewardship-- I cannot possess him; he is not mine’ I have been chosen to care for him, to love him, to enjoy him, to nurture him, and to answer to God. I resolve to do my best for him FOR BABIES WON’T WAIT. There is a time to hold him close and tell him “The Sweetest Story Ever Told”; a time to show him God in earth and sky and flower; to teach him wonder and reverence. There is a time to leave the dishes in the sink and swing him in the park; to run a race; to draw a picture; to read a story; to look at God’s handiwork in the beautiful sunsets and to give the song of the raindrops on the roof; and to give him happy comradeship. There is a time to point the way; to teach his infant lips to pray; to teach his infant lips to pray; to love God’s Day, FOR CHILDREN WON’T WAIT. There is a time to sing instead of grumble, to smile instead of frown; to kiss away the tears and laugh at broken dishes and fingerprints on the wall -- a time to share with him my best in attitudes; a love of life, a love for God, a love for family. There is a time to answer -- ALL his questions -- because there may come a time when he will not want my answers. There is a time to teach him to obey -- to put his toys away. There is a time to teach him the beauty of duty, the habit of Bible study, the joy of worship at home, the peace of prayer -- FOR CHILDREN WON’T WAIT. There is a time to watch him bravely go to school, to miss him under foot, and to know that other minds have his attention, but that I will be there to answer his call when he comes home and eagerly tells me the story of his day. There is a time to teach him independence, responsibility, self-reliance; to be firm but friendly, to discipline him with love, for soon -- SO SOON -- there will be a time to untie the apron strings and let him go -- FOR CHILDREN WON’T WAIT. There will be a time when there will be no slamming of doors, no toys on the floor, no fingerprints on the wallpaper. THEN may I look back with joy and not regret. There will be a time to concentrate on service OUTSIDE my home... ... on visiting the sick, the bereaved, the discouraged, the untaught, and to give myself “to the least of these”. There will be a time to look back and to know that these years of motherhood were NOT wasted. I pray there will be a time to see him an upright and honest man, loving God and serving all. God, give me wisdom to see TODAY as MY day with my children, knowing that there is no unimportant moment in their lives. May I know that NO OTHER CAREER IS SO PRECIOUS; no other work is so rewarding, no other task so urgent. May I not defer it nor neglect it, but by Thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by They grace realize that THE TIME IS SHORT and MY TIME IS NOW, for CHILDREN WON’T WAIT. ~Gladys Ada Fink, 1948 |
Comments
Aug. 17, 2007 - Nice read!
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Posted by Aug. 19, 2007 - A great post!
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