By Example

 I’ve always known that children learn best from example. As a parent of many toddlers, sometimes that thought is overwhelming. “What kind of example am I setting right now...?” It inspires me to aim higher, yes. But it also sobers and humbles me. For instance, how often to I complain to my children that I am tired of hearing complaining? 🙊 


In all seriousness, I start and end each day on my knees asking earnestly for grace to be a picture of Jesus to my precious babies. And a picture of godly, faithful, contented motherhood. 

The other week we were planting strawberries. Lynnea Rose is a real helper girl and wanted to hand me the plants. Sometimes she pulled the leaves off when trying to free the plugs from their tray and more than once I had to stop myself from encouraging her to “go and play”. How easy it is to forget the simple truth that in order for little ones to become proficient helpers they must be allowed to help.

Suddenly she paused and “checked” on the baby that she was carrying under one arm. “Oh!” she exclaimed, “my baby needs to nurse!” I swallowed a laugh as she settled herself in the pathway and helped Harmony to “latch on”. For a moment she sat and rocked, then began to hand me plants again, all the while making sure her baby was still nursing happily.

I realized that I was seeing myself and my actions played out through my little daughter. How many times had I nursed her in this very garden. Sitting in the row and continuing my work with one hand while rocking and snuggling her with the other.

I want all my children to believe that babies are important. They are not an inconvenience. They are a gift from God. But somehow it hadn’t clearly occurred to me before that moment that the best way for them to understand that is not by hearing me say it, but by seeing me live that truth.

May you forgive me little one, for all the times I brush you off as I’m trying to get a task done. Thanks for showing me that every time I take you in my arms and snuggle you right in the middle of the garden, I am teaching you some of the most important things in life. May I always remember to do so.

“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:7


Comments

  1. my soul is tremendously filled with gladness upon reading this ha! What an insight!!Thanks for sharing and may this be my prayer too.

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  2. This thrills my 💗!! Thank you for sharing!😘🙏

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