Yep that is exactly what I got today. Not really, but a spiritual spanking I did receive. If I am being honest, we expect a lot of our girls. Sometimes I have to ask myself if we expect too much. I just want nothing more than for them to grow up fearing the Lord. Loving the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind. I want them to be leaders in this crazy world as children and as adults. I want them to know the Lord in a way that brings Him Glory and Honor. I want the absolute best for these sweet girls that God has trusted Matt and I with.
Our oldest child is one sweet blessing straight from above. She has a heart of gold. She loves the Lord. She is a giver. She is thoughtful. She is timid. She is shy. She is goofy. She loves to make us proud. She can be very quiet. She is studious. She is artistic. She is loved by her mommy and daddy more than she will EVER know. :)
I asked Alyssa to lead our morning prayer a few mornings ago. She wasn't really feeling the greatest and simply said she did not want to. I was a little sleepy(possibly cranky) and I insisted that she say the breakfast prayer. She on the other hand got a tad emotional to which I could not understand. I wish I could say I gracefully filled her heart with encouragement and confidence to ease her fear of not saying the "right" thing. But that I did not do. I was confused. I was frustrated. I couldn't understand why she had this fear or lack of desire to pray. I felt like I/We had failed. We had failed to help Alyssa understand prayer and that talking to God was something we should want to do. Something we should desire. Something He desires.
I dropped Alyssa off to school. Talking to her the whole way there. Hoping to give her some things to think about throughout the day. I tried to encourage her with patience and with Hope that the Lord would stir her heart. I know she is only 5. But I don't want to miss a moment with her. I don't want to miss a day that holds an opportunity to teach her. To tell her and show her that Jesus loves her and that he wants to hear from her. He has blessed her and as His child, she should be thankful for the relationship she has with Him, and should have a desire to love and know Him more.
I got home and opened my devotional and it was the topic of "Timely Gifts For Our Kids." I actually laughed out loud. Like... God you really ARE there!!:) JK! This is what I first read....
"You expect her to have the faith of a 44 year old when she's only 14!"
Ouch. My husband hit the nail on the head. I want our children to grasp hold of our faith, yet it is hard to know how to do this in a way they can receive. I often make the mistake of wanting our kids to understand and act on my faith like I do but, like my husband reminded me, they're only teenagers.
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7
I love a good old fashioned whippin from the Lord. It shows me He cares enough about me to teach me. To take the time to talk to me. He's such a personal God and for that I am very thankful.
