Walking Through Childhood

Mad and Lib's really really enjoy playing with their neighbor friends. We have been blessed with at least three families on our road that have children our girls ages. In the picture above they were all playing dress up one day and I heard one of the neighbor girls say, "This is the best day of my life."

It is so easy for me to forget that these sometimes very ordinary days are creating their childhood. Their lifelong memories. The thought is exciting and daunting all at the same time. Tonight I had no patience with my sweet girls. Granted they weren't being sweet all the time but still nights like this make me wonder what kind of memories they will have of being children and of their Mommy? I know there will be plenty of good things to think back on but I wonder what their overall feeling be of me during this time? I want them to look back and remember feelings of love, acceptance, belonging, just (not unjust) punishment... Our pastor said two Sunday's ago in a sermon that after we punish our children we should sit with them and love on them because how we act towards them is how they will see God. Now that statement right there is SO true and such a huge responsibility. I don't want them to see God as impatient, mean, unkind, unjust... Our pastor also said that God doesn't "leave us all alone in our room till we quit crying." No he is there beside us loving us all the while. He listens our heartache our pain as we cry our tears. He holds us. That is the kind of love I desire to give to my children. Firm but gentle.

Father, help me to love my girls like you love me. Give me patience with them even when I feel like I have nothing left to give. Thank you for your mercy and grace when I fail in modeling You to my children. Amen

~a