This is not the account of a perfect day of parenting and how I took my children to all of their extra-curricular activities in well pressed clothing with their hair looking impeccable. It is not the account of my incredible patience and amazing mothering skills. This is the true account of a real working mother and what life looks like in that reality sometimes.
This weekend my younger daughter was repeatedly pestering to go to the park right at the end of our volleyball game as we were getting ready to leave. I told her she could not because we were preparing to leave. Being the determined child that she is she continued providing valid arguments (looking back on it now....in a rather respectful manner) as to why the park was a great idea. I stepped away from her and quietly said to my husband, who at the time was talking to my dad, that it was time to go because I was "tired of this". My dad looked at me with the look only he can give and said in the most loving and wise manner "Don't ever get tired of it". My quick response, "What, the disrespect?". He simply replied in the same tone "Don't ever get tired of it.". He did not judge or go any further he chatted with us as we gathered our things and told us all goodbye and went about his duties. We left and had a discussion in the car with the girls...using this "teachable moment"....to discuss being grateful for what we get and not always wanting more and having good attitudes. After all we just got back from a weekend full of family vacation fun, couldn't we just be grateful for that?!?!? My husband and I felt we had accomplished something with our discussion as the girls seemed to take in the "teaching" and respect our view point. However, I could not get off my mind and heart my dad's words "Don't ever get tired of it". You may have to know my dad to understand that he is one of the greatest teachers I have ever met. He is incredibly wise and loving and has always been the kind of parent that never needed spanking or anything such as that because a simple "I'm disappointed and I still love you" look was enough to cut to the heart. Throughout the week these words have resounded in my mind and heart and today I think God revealed some truth and wisdom to me that I needed to hear......
In my efforts as a parent and in my job I am frequently highlighting these "teachable moments". These opportunities when a struggle or mistake shines light to an amazing moment in time when we get a chance to take that mistake and learn from it. I use these moments with my kids every day. They may not love them as much as I do but I truly love to see them learn and grow and I truly believe that we can learn from every mistake and struggle God allows in our path. So, considering I love these "teachable moments" so much why is it that I am so resistant when God uses them with me?? Why is it that when God uses a teachable moment I don't like that he uses a particular person to teach me or I find the moment he chooses to be inconvenient or I just plain don't like the lesson? I was concerned about my daughter's "disrespect" when in all actuality it was my own disrespect to my Heavenly father that was appalling. He was lovingly reminding me that a few minutes at the park wasn't going to make or break the evening. A few more Teen Beach movie songs sung at the top of their lungs wasn't going to harm anyone even if they'd already heard them 10 times. A strong willed child that respectfully and intelligently provides evidence to her mother is not a problem but rather a sight and experience to appreciate and marvel at because that is what God placed me here for. He put me here to create that little life that would grow into a strong person that could stand up for what she believed in....even if right now it is going to the park :).......to her the park is important and in 10 years the rights of those less fortunate may be her cause and will I want her to back down then? I ask God every night to give me another day with my girls and every morning I thank Him for waking me up again and giving me another day to spend with them. I don't fear death because I know that I have been saved by Jesus Christ and will spend an eternity with my father in heaven; however, I know I do not want to miss a second of my two beautiful daughter's lives and I want to enjoy and share every moment they are willing to share with me. So, from this day forward I will take the lesson learned from my wise and loving dad and I will "NEVER GET TIRED OF IT" because a day too close to now I will not have had enough of it!
Thank you God for ever second of every day that you bless me with: the hugs, the kisses, the laughs, the smiles, the fits, the arguments, the battles, the messy house, the busy schedule, the rush of the day, the EVERYTHING!!! All of it is a blessing from you and I will COUNT IT ALL JOY!!!
Thank you to my earthy father for being such an amazing teacher and leader!
