I'm here doing dishes, finances, baking rolls for tomorrow's lunch, and preparing for Sunday Sabbath so that it can truly be Sabbath "Rest".
As I try to clear the dough clinging to the side of the bread bowl in the sudsy water, I focus my thoughts reflectively on the day's activities... so much done today with it being Grandma Lee's last day. We met up with an old friend for a tour of the town and got some great photos of Zoe taken in an heirloom dress from 1950 that came from a Great, Great Aunt in Norway.
Dinner at Cici's wrapped up the day and Big Sis and Little Man were tuckered out.
One comment from Big Sis still lingers... she said it mid-day, but I can't get it out of my mind. She looked up at me staring me straight in the eyes and said "Mommy, you need to be careful with me. You need to be careful because you can hurt my feelings."
The words sank deeply into my heart. I am shaping her. I hold so much power in how I interact with her. Like a fragile lump of clay in my hand. But neither she nor her Little Brother are my own. I act like it most days, but they do not belong to me. They are purely a gift from God. I wonder... how am I stewarding these little ones? I recently came across this article titled "A Child's Ten Commandments for Parents". I was convicted in many areas.
Ten Commandments for Parents:
1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make my bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.
2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely; don’t restrict me unnecessarily.
3. Housework will always be there. I’m only little for such a short time-please take the time to explain things to me about this wonderful world and do so willingly.
4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs; don’t nag me all day long. (You wouldn’t want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you would like to be treated.
5. I am a special gift; please treasure me as my Creator intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.
6. I need your encouragement, not just your praise to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.
7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my own mistakes. Then someday I will be prepared to make the kind of decisions life will require of me.
8. Please don’t do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn’t quite measure to your expectations. I know it’s hard, but please don’t try to compare me to my brother or sister.
9. Please don’t be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need a vacation from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides it’s a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.
10. Please set a good example for me to follow in all the ways of life. I enjoy watching the things you do and want to do them just like you do.
Lord, help me to bring Zoe and Roman up in ways that are gracious and Christ-centered. Amen
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3
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