This is also something I tend to take for granted. Sometimes Kelly and I take a weekend away without the boys, but this was a week way from the boys. Although our marriage and our family are not perfect, they are joy giving fountains. It was tough to be away that long, yet good. I remember the day when I was really hesitant about kids and even figured that I probably wouldn’t get married until late in my life. Well, that all changed in a hurry. In my life, as in yours, there are times when God’s timing is completely different than ours. I met Kelly when I wasn’t even looking. Kelly became pregnant with Eli before we were even planning on starting a family. Yet both came into my life at the exactly right time.
Simply stated, Kelly makes me a better person. Do we have arguments? YES. Am I selfish and rarely admit I am wrong? YES. Do I learn from her? YES, but don’t tell her. She is amazing at making our house a home. Keeps it clean, well decorated and has more motivation to do this than anyone I have ever met. She is my example of being a hard working, innovative and ethical worker. She challenges me to be a better parent; it is hard to keep up with her ability parent. Those boys love her.
Speaking of the boys, Eli and Owen are, as I stated, joy giving fountains. If you are having a bad day, talk to one of them. Eli will hug you, Owen will punch you – either way you will feel loved. I think some people who say they do not want children are selfish or using it as an excuse for something– just as I thought in my early 20’s. Yes, there are times when being a parent is tough and patience can be thin, but nothing changes your life until you have a child. You just don’t understand what parents feel until you are one. You may get a slivering glimpse of it if you have a relationship in your life like a parent to a child. Kids bring joy; help you to be a better human being and give you better perspective. Nothing beats pelting your children with NERF guns, our random dance parties, listening to them tell stories about their day, laughing with them and crying with them. NOTHING
My challenge to myself and others:
1 Rethink how I am shaping my children. Be more specific in my conversations with them. What moments am I letting pass by as just another “little” moment instead of a worthy conversation. How am I uniquely catering one on one interaction to the individual character of each of my children?
2 Laugh more with your children, wrestle more with your children, play dollhouse more with your children, whack the crap out of them with a NERF weapons, etc.
3 Pray for them more specifically, Pray with them more specifically and teach them to pray for others specifically.
I THINK THAT THE MORE I AM PROACTIVE IN LEADING MY FAMILY WELL, THE SMALLER THE CHANCE THAT FAMILY HARDSHIPS OR CRISIS WILL SHIPWRECK MY FAMILY. YES, THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILTY – SO I BEST BE CONSISTENTLY IMPROVING.
This is my responsibility
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