Have you ever heard the saying in regards to kids, “more is caught than taught.” This is so true. And basically what it means is you can sit there and talk until you are blue in the face, but they watch more what you do, than listen to what you say. I have seen a poem titled something like, “When you thought I wasn’t looking.” It is a good poem (I am sure I could google it and find it if I had the energy). I am going to type this blog along those same lines…
“I hope you are watching little boys…”
I hope you are watching when I kneel to pray because I just heard devastating news about a friend’s husband. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18
I hope you are watching when I stop in the hall to hug and kiss Daddy. “ I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine…” Song of Solomon 6:3
I hope you are watching when I stop my day to go take coffee to my best friend, or drop off supplies at the church, or hold the door for someone. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10
I hope you are watching when I lose my temper. It shows I too am human, and need forgiveness. And God willing, I hope you see me ask for it ;) “ This is a trustworthy saying and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1: 15-16.
I hope that you are watching as we eat healthy and exercise hard. There are few things better in this life than taking care of the body God gave us. “ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
I hope you are watching when I struggle to get through my day, when I struggle to finish a workout, when I struggle to hold back my emotions. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27
I hope you are watching when I pay tribute to our country, our flag, our service men and women both past and present. Your mother is a downright cry baby when it comes to patriotism of our great country. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13
I hope you are watching when I attend church regularly, go to bible study with my girls, and help in Sunday school/nursery. “The master said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together.” Matthew 25:23
I hope that when the time comes (because you were not here when I lost my dear Grandma Lucy), that you can watch me get through the grief of losing a family member or friend… that I might show you that the real joy comes from Jesus and the new life to come. “So with you: Now is your time of grief but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:22
I hope that you are watching all the little things that are done every day…the boring, the mundane, the life chores, ie. the laundry, the dishes, the packed lunches, the late night projects, the birthday videos. “ I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him.” 1 Timothy 1:12 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
I hope you are watching when I hear a story about a child's death, and even though I don't know them or the family, I cry. I hurt for that family. But most of all, I worry. I put myself in their shoes. I think of losing you. "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
I hope you are watching us lead you to Christ and someday you will understand what an important task that is. “ Train a child in the way he should go. When he is old, he will not turn away from it.” Proverbs 22:6
I hope you are watching me, when I talk about my worries, my anxiety. I surely hope you don’t get it, but I hope you will learn to trust Jesus with all your heart. “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
I hope that you are watching how hard we work. I hope you know that we give all glory to God for how we got to where we are. HOWEVER, I hope that you know God has a specific plan for you. It is not OUR plan, it is not YOUR plan. You just have to stop and listen and he will lead you. (one of all time favorite verses) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20
I hope you are watching me forgive others, when I don’t want to, when I don’t feel like it, when I don’t feel like they deserve it. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14
Above all, I hope you are watching me show love. That through my actions, others might come to see and know Jesus….because believe it or not, some people don’t know Him and don’t accept him as their Savior, and for that I will always be thankful for my parents leading me to Him. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16
Dear Jesus:
In this crazy world, this world of sad stories every day on the news; shootings, murders, car wrecks, suicides….please help me to always see you. To the see the good in people…to be more like you would have me to be. Because it’s hard. Because sometimes I just don't feel like it. Because today I am tired. Because the easy thing to do is what I WANT. My inner soul longs for peace and understanding, help me to find it in you, so that I may ease my worries and anxiety. And that when little eyes are watching, I will do the right thing, say the right thing, show your love…because Lord only knows what an important task you have given me to raise these little creatures. And they try my patience, and I yell and I cry and I get mad…and Lord you know how much I love them…help me to be a good mother…on the days when I all I want to do is be alone, to sleep in, to do what I want to do….Thank you for loving me always. Thank you for giving me another day to get it right. In your name I pray….Amen... Signed, Mother to two krazy boys….
