Children: True Blessings

“Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories. “  ~John Wilmot

Many years ago when Noel and I were first married and prior to having any children, we were sitting in church one Sunday behind an unruly child and his parents.  Of course we had all the answers to raising children because we didn’t have any.  The mom was desperately trying to keep little Johnny occupied and entertained but wasn’t having much luck.  She had several snacks laid out on the pew and all of his favorite “silent” toys.  Nothing she did seemed to satisfy the little tot.  I remember looking over at Noel with disdain and passed him a note that read, “Just look at that.  That mother has a smorgasbord set up for him and all those toys.  Did your mom do that?  Mine sure didn’t.”  Of course, he nodded in agreement with my little judgmental note.

Well, needless to say, that came to back to bite me big time!  Several years later we were sitting in church with little Kalee with a feast spread out on the pew and all of her favorite “silent” toys.  I happened to flip through my Bible to see if I had some paper she could write on since the toy box full of her favorites didn’t seem to be satisfying her.  What do you think fell out of my Bible?  Yes, that little note I had written to Noel several years before.  More than a little ironic, I think.  God sure does have a way of humbling us when we need to be humbled.

I can tell you that all of my preconceived theories on child-rearing have all gone down the toilet.  I certainly know the road I would like for my children to take, but that doesn’t mean they are going to follow it.  I do know one thing, however, with absolute certainty.  No matter what path they choose, I am always going to love them.  I think Elizabeth Stone said it best when she said, “Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” 

My oldest child is getting ready to spread her wings and leave home.  I know the minute she walks out that door, things will never be the way they are right now.  She’s going to make some great decisions in her life, and she’s going to make some mistakes, but that’s okay.  That’s the only way to learn what works and what doesn’t.  Some might be small and some might be life changing.  I don’t pray that she never makes mistakes.  I pray that she knows that no matter what those mistakes might be, I will never stop loving her.  One thing I do know that I gave her is strength.  Life isn’t going to be able to keep her down.  She will land on her feet.  I’m sure of it.

Blessings,

Penny