Being a parent these days is not an easy task. I mean you hear all over the radio and see in the news about kids wanting to chose their gender. About homes falling apart. About shootings in schools. The world seems like a dangerous place to live and somehow us parents are to raise the next generation. The next group of people that will be our nations leaders. Minister in our churches. Teach in our schools. And lead in their own homes and yet try to survive their day in age.
Yesterday, as I was walking out of Costco, I was right in front of an older man. He saw my overloaded cart and two small children who were both hungry for lunch. He made a comment that caught my attention. "Well, here comes our next generation." He was right. Right before my eyes I was leading my dear little ones through the groceries stores, through check out lines, through isles, through life really.
His comment made me think about how I was doing in all of this. If I am really raising up our next generation, how well am I doing it? Am I instilling in their minds, hearts and souls things about God? Teaching them to trust in the Lord. Leading them with patience and love and letting them make some mistakes so they can learn life through experiences? Am I fulfilling my role as a Godly, Christian mother? Where is my focus? On my daily tasks or on their hearts?
Parenting is something we only get to do once. It's something that nobody can write a book about that spells out each play by play that will work for every kid. God made us all different. With various personalities. Different gifts. Some fearless and some much more timid. Some like adventure and others would much rather eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday and totally be OK with that! For some, change is really tough. Some not so much. God has blessed Mike and I with four healthy children and with just four, we sure can see a lot of differences. Each needs their own love language filled from us and God. Each child has their own strengths and weaknesses. For a parent, it's hard raising Godly children!!!
Praying for our children has been something that we did the day they were born. It plays a major part in their lives and helps fight in the spiritual world!!! We need to trust in God and rely on his promises. God will help us care and nourish our children. He will be our rock and fortress in time of need.
So even though parenting is really tough these days, we give God the honor and glory for our blessings!!!
We just got our family pictures updated. These four children are gifts from the Lord!
Hadassah: She is a freshman in high school. She advanced her skills in volleyball this summer and can't wait to play in some competition! She is beautiful inside and out. Mike and I could have a packed full schedule by just running her all around to every activity that she would wish to do. :) She is always on the go and loves people.
Matthew: Our steady eddy. He likes routine. He is ready for middle school and loves to play baseball. Him and Austin already have a neat brother to brother connection. Matthew doesn't complain much but knows that Wawa cannot make a breakfast like his mom can. He loves his eggs!
Ashlyn: Our little sweet pea is now ready for kindergarten. She has grown up so much in the past year. She is now not afraid to speak what's on her mind. She is confident and yet a little bashful with new things. Going to school is big step for her but she is excited! She has heard lots of good advice from her older siblings. Austin will miss his playmate when she's in school. She loves life.
Austin: 1 year old. Blonde hair, blue eyes. He is walking all around the house and loving it! He tries to make animal noises. I was sure the other day he said "kitty". Mama and Dada is something he could say for awhile now! He can't hold still for barely a second, making church services a bit stressful at times. He is full of hugs and kisses and he all love on him so much!!! Even though he may rule most of our family events right now, he is so cute and lovable!!!
He wasn't really into eating cake until the others helped to eat it!!!
Then he dug in and made a total mess!!! :)
Thank you Lindsey at Sweetfacephotography for capturing these beautiful pictures for us!!! I will forever treasure these photo's!!!!!!
May God give us parents grace for today and wisdom for tomorrow in rearing up Godly children!!!
