WELL... it has begun. The fall schedule. At dance lessons this week I had a conversation with another parent and we were talking about everything we had going on. After she listened to our list of "activities", she said (with eyes WIDE opened), "you guys sure are busy!". Yes we are! But here's what I realized a long time ago... we are just busy people - that's who we are. We are happiest when we have things to do, places to be and people to be around. We just are. So Monica and I decided that we would be very purposeful about what we chose to do. It's not about mindlessly filling our calender with "stuff" (because let's face it... that "stuff" can get expensive) but it's about making sure we invest time in areas that help our children grow up to be who they were created to be. It's about cultivating the talents God gave them.
Last night at church, we had a wonderful time of prayer specifically for the coming months and all they hold - a time for parents, children, teachers, schools, activities... all the "stuff" that happens when school starts back and people begin again with the busy-ness of life. During the message, we revisited Proverbs 22:6 and it was a confirmation for me and all I have been praying for my kids since they were born. That they would love God and would be obedient in His calling for their life. Basically, that they would recognize the talents He has given them and would use them to shine in such a way that others would see their gifts and glorify Him. This isn't always an easy thing to do.
Sometimes a child's natural gifting is so evident that you couldn't ignore it if you tried - you see it the moment they pick up a ball or touch an instrument or sing a song. Sometimes you see that a child has a talent in many areas so you struggle to figure out where you should focus your time and energy (and money) to help them best develop. Sometimes you struggle to see just exactly what their talent is because maybe they aren't athletic or musical or perhaps even social. I'm not sure which scenario is most challenging as a parent - to have to make a decision to focus on only one area or to struggle to find ANY. But here's what I am CONFIDENT of... every child IS a gift from God and every child has been given a GIFT from God. Part of our responsibility as parents is to help them recognize both of these truths and then "train them in the way they should go".
I'm sure it will be no surprise to you when I say that I LOVE being a parent. People who have endured the teenage years tell me... "Just wait until they become teenagers... ". I know that each season brings different challenges which is why I try to be very purposeful about staying a part of my kids' lives so that, when things change or new challenges arise, I know what's going on. That's the reason I had to make a job change to be home with them more. I realized I couldn't be a father to my children when I was always traveling and never physically present. Now that my children are 9 and 12, it has never been more important to me than NOW that I be very purposeful - and PRAYERFUL - about all that we are involved in.
Our time is limited. There is only so much time in the week to do all we want to do... but also, my time with them will be gone as soon as I blink my eyes. I can't waste it. I must be very purposeful about how I "train them in the way they should go".
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
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