Been going through some training this week and the bank took our group out to lunch. Talking around the table, people were shocked at the number of kids in our family. What’s new, right?
Discussion began about the challenges we face as parents when someone with small kids said, Oh, but the rewards later are so worth it.
I asked him, When does that happen? What rewards? When I get grandkids?
This past year has been loaded with injuries, surgeries, and disappointments on spiritual and moral grounds with some our boys. Recent revelations have been the most disheartening in our lives as parents. Are these the rewards? I hope not. The negative tends to overshadow the positive, with a ripple effect in the house.
If only the reminder, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right (Eph 6:1), was heard and not written off as being a nag or distrustful .
This week was a strong reminder to pray for the families within my sphere. Please pray for ours.
August 13, 2009 at 12:42 AM |
Oh how I needed to read this. I am going through internal turmoil about raising kids and have felt sooo lost, torn, and drained for the past few months. Well it came to a head this week and I was able to verbalize to Mark what is going on inside of me. I was planning to ask you how in the world do you and Tom do it. No matter what, you guys are so amazing and all your hard work WILL pay off. If you get a chance, go to my blog and read the post about “The fruit is on its way.” I hope it encourages you to believe and have hope that you will see the fruit of your labor. Bottom line. Kids are going to mess up and sometimes in big ways. They wouldn’t be normal if they were perfect with no mishaps, mistakes, or regrets. We all had them growing up and now it’s there turn to learn…sometimes the hard way. I have to constantly remind myself of this. I told someone the other day that I had no clue what I was signing up for when I became a parent. No clue. Well, we can chit chat on Sat. Feel free to bring a favorite game of yours. I know you guys like to play games and so do we, but we have no cool ones that are the latest and greatest.