“Always set a good example for others. Be sincere and serious when you teach." ~ Titus
1:7
How could she have ever complained
about being tired before having kids! Now
after returning to work, Jodie wondered how she had the audacity to whine about
being tired with a newborn when she could relax, rest, or even sleep during the
day on maternity leave.
Saturday afternoons brought
welcome relief from the exhaustion that consumed her mushy brain. Today as she drifted ever closer to dreamland,
her thoughts turned to Grace – her sleeping beauty.
There are few things as gratifying and heart-warming as
watching her little one sleeping; a picture of sweet tranquility. Safely secure within a cocoon of warmth and
love, Gracie has no cares, no worries. It’s
one of the rewards of motherhood - the sign of a job well done.
Feisty while awake, the toddler is full of sass and
attitude. She has her moments of quiet
reverie and artistic endeavors, but for the most part, she’s a blur of kinetic
energy.
She’s the Energizer Bunny to the nth degree. Grace sings, dances, jumps rope, jumps on the
bed, cartwheels across any open space, sprints everywhere, and barely stops to
catch a breath.
And then, she sleeps. Ahhhhh, she sleeps. All traces of the hard edges melt away. Her eyes become gentler, her mouth relaxed. Her angelic expression holds no fear, no
worry, no anxiety, no concern at all. Sometimes,
she smiles.
At night, Jodie often sneaks into Grace’s room and watches her
sleep for a few moments, marveling at the almost supernatural transformation. She’s so sweet and peaceful, vulnerable and
unfettered, and usually in some heartwarming sleep position. If only she could hold onto those moments
forever.
Sometimes, if the day has been excessively tough, she
apologizes. "I'm sorry, baby, for
losing my cool, for not being a more patient mother, for being so frustrated. I'm so sorry, and I'm trying to be better. Please forgive me." She vows that tomorrow will be better.
Just as sleep begins taking over her body and brain, consciousness
crept back in unexpectedly, startling Jodie awake.
Gracie, her 20-month-old daughter, was covering her with a
blanket. She patted Jodie’s back, then
kissed her gently on the cheek - exactly what she does when tucking Grace in at
night.
How closely our children watch us, and what they learn from
our actions. They watch what we do and
how we act. Our behaviors are reflected
in their behaviors.
This means that as parents, we need to not just quote
Scripture, but to live Scripture before our children. Never forget that the way you live your life
is the primary “message” your child receives. Your convictions are caught more
than taught.
Father, help me understand them, listen
patiently to what’s on their minds and answer all their questions. Keep me from interrupting and contradicting
them. Give me the courage to ask their
forgiveness, when I’m wrong. Amen ~ Highlights for Children excerpt
