I hurried through a conversation at church this summer as someone shared information about a lunch outing for the pre-teen Sunday School class. Abby Kate was promoting to the youth group, so I dismissed the details as irrelevant for our family. It wasn’t until Lily tapped my arm that I realized I really did need to know.
“I’m going in the 5th grade Mom,” she said. “I’m a pre-teen.”
There’s a picture on the wall in Lily’s room, one that hung many years in my own bedroom. It was a gift to my mom when I was born.
“Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
For babies grow up we’ve learned to our sorrow
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep
I’m rocking my baby, and babies don’t keep.”
Surprise. My baby didn’t keep.
One of the most memorable things I’ve ever read about parenting is written by Paul Reiser in his book titled “Familyhood”:
“Whatever I may feel about time, it’s going ahead.”
The clock ticks regardless of our readiness, but we do have control over what we do with our minutes, days, and years.
I am excited to share a 5 day devotional I’ve written that I hope will inspire you to make your days matter. “5 Words to Create Your Legacy through Everyday Life” is available when you subscribe to my website. (Look for the “subscribe” button to the left of this post on your computer; scroll to the bottom on your cell phone.) The devotional includes funny stories about my girls, a few reflections from my childhood, and Biblical truths to encourage you as you parent with intention and affection.
The Bible tells us in Psalm 127:3 “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”
May the way we raise our children be our gift back to Him.