"Train up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
When my eldest was born 3 1/2 years ago, I was totally surprised to hear, "It's a girl!". I found myself a little perplexed, wondering how in the world would I train my daughter to be a godly woman?! I felt so unfit for this challenge. So often, the Lord uses those times we feel the least able to grow us. Looking back over the past 4 years, I see how the Lord was at work in my heart, humbling me, refining me, growing me, for His glory, not my own.
So many times, I fall into the trap of thinking I'll just take care of things around here myself, without the help of my children. With three little ones 3 and younger, it can take longer getting tasks accomplished when they are helping me. Then, I'm gently reminded that I get to be the one who trains my children and it would be to all of our benefit for them to learn how to work alongside me.
Today, I asked Kate to help me in the kitchen. The past few days have been a bit rough with her talking back. She told me she was not going to help me. Well...I'm the momma, so I was going to have to win this little battle. I called Kate to come to me, sit on my lap, and look me in the eyes. To this, I received her, "Yes, ma'am." I explained to Kate that someday she would have her own house and it's my duty to teach her how to do some things so that when she lived on her own she would know what to do, how to care for her family. Her whole countenance changed! We discussed this a little longer so that I knew she comprehended everything, and she eagerly bounced off my lap and asked what she could help with. I was amazed at the change in her heart now that she understood WHY I had asked her to help. She was thrilled to push the buttons on the oven to preheat it and thrilled to pull out the box of foil which she noted looked like a tall building. She was eager to set the table and add seasoning to our meal. I've been working with Kate to ask, "Is there anything else I can help you with?" after completing a given task. She blew me away tonight!
A year ago, I'm pretty sure my response to Kate talking-back would have been much different. I'm pretty sure the results would have been as well. Over this last year, the Lord's been cultivating patience within me, especially toward my children. I have a lot to learn and pray the Lord would continue to mold and shape me to be the momma this family needs. How grateful I am for teachable moments gone right...I miss them far too often, I'm afraid.
