I love it when my oldest son cocks his head to the side as he begins to explain some important truth to his little brother. He uses his “adult” voice and often repeats something verbatim that I’ve recently taught to him. Then he looks at me with a little smile that says, I got it, Mom. I was listening.
My husband and I have the huge opportunity of shepherding the hearts of two little boys. If we can do that well, there will be enormous benefits for their lives. The greatest accomplishment of my life would be to raise up two men who love Jesus, live with integrity, seek wisdom, and love people.
Teaching my children who God is, how much He loves them, and His purpose for their lives means I need to know who God is, how much He loves me, and His purpose for my life. Quite honestly, it would be a lot easier to teach them how to be anxious and fearful. But that would be spiritual child abuse.
The challenge of little eyes and ears watching and listening can sometimes overwhelm me and send me into a spiral of I’m not doing enough, I’m not being intentional, I’m spending too much time on the Internet, I can’t even keep my house clean! But, thankfully, God welcomes my honesty, gives me another chance, and often gives me an opportunity to see what He is doing through me.