but what if????

Our conversation began with a question about flowers.

From there we “chip-chatted” (as Jake says when I talk too much) about cookies, farm camp, teaching our children,  public verses private education, homeschooling and finally

Faith

It was an enjoyable discussion particularly the part where we passionately discussed children and education and

Faith

This precious mother of two, expressed how desperately she wants whats best for her children.

Don’t we all??

So how do we decide what’s best for our children? who decides? our parents? best friends? our church family? the government?

Would you say you are easily persuaded? Are you confident when flying solo? Would you consider yourself to be bold?

I dare say we all want our children to be successful, productive members of society as they mature.

Many get caught up in the dream of becoming Mr. All-AMERICA or a Miss America and that’s fantastic if that works out for you and yours but the reality is there is only one Miss America crowned each year.

May we be real here for a moment??

There are apples and there are bananas.

and I LOVE apples 9red, yellow and green) and I LOVE bananas.

BUT apples ARE NOT bananas nor are bananas apples.

Case and point..

Be honest with yourself and your children.

*******

It may have been my second year or maybe my third year in the classroom.  I had no children of my own at the time.  I cherished my students and treated them as they were mine.

I had a handsome little fella who was well liked by his peers, quick as a cat, manners & handwriting that made my heart sing

and yet he could barely read his name.

His mother would join us on various occasions.  She would carry on singing his praises (loud enough for he and ALL of his peers to hear)  “You are the smartest boy in this class! I bet you are the best reader Mrs. Smith has ever had!”

He was not.

Fact:  He knew it, she knew it, his peers knew it and I knew it.

I politely encouraged this mother to stop lying to her child. Though I can’t recall my exact word choice .. she got it.   I challenged her to accept that her child may not have been the best reader in our class and assured her that he did indeed excel in other areas.

I encouraged her to praise him accordingly.

He finished strong and is very successful in his current endeavors.

The moral of the story…

Accept your children as they are…

It’s their lot

and yours as their parent

set realistic expectations

expect their best and pray to be SURPRISED!

know that no child is GREAT at EVERYTHING!

as are none of us

no not one.

this isn’t rocket science yet maybe it’s something you haven’t made peace with..

******

I have two boys

their physical appearance to many is as close as that of twins

but I can ASSURE YOU

they are

fearfully and wonderfully (& UNIQUELY) original

one loves animals and is a natural around them just like his daddy

while the other is as nervous as a cat on a tin roof on the back of a horse

one equipment lover with the memory of an elephant #nevereverforgets

the other rarely wears shoes or socks that match because he can’t find the mates

one is agile..a natural athlete

the other not-so-much #turtlespeed

one is extremely responsible

the other a spaz-o, FORGETFUL-0-me-o-my

not to mention their learning styles

one reads very well,

the other s-o-u-n-d-s-o-u-t-e-v-e-r-y-s-i-n-g-l-e-w-o-r-d

seriously. it can be painful.

yet his mental math blows my mind

my point.

they’re different and that’s ok

in fact

it’s perfect.

because God has a job for each of them to do

a mission for each of their little lives

handcrafted, one-of-a-kind

specially designed plan,

by the Creator of the Universe

our job as their parents is to pray for them, encourage, & equip them to listen to Him

train them to use their God-given, natural abilities and gifts for

HIS GLORY

that’s the whole point.

you may say….

“but they’re just kids”

yea, they are

but what if…….

I start praying & encouraging my children NOW at 5 and 7 to be on mission for Him

instead of waiting to pray or discuss or encourage them when they’re older and hormonal and weird 

but instead they grow up believing that SERVING HIM, being on MISSION for HIM, SHARING HIM with others 

is normal

that it’s NOT ALL about them

it’s about HIM.

see?

passionate about this topic….

and I could go on and on but I won’t because I want you to come back!

Until then

pray.

pray for your babies. pray with them

pay attention to what they’re really good at

consider how long it’s been since you praised their strengths..

talk to them about the Lord

and ask them

“What do you think God has planned for you?”

“Do you think God has a special job for you?

and then …

listen.

really listen to what they share

and remember Matthew 19:14

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

I can’t wait to hear what they share with you!

Let me know how it goes in the comment section :O)

Blessings,

k