Today’s Daily Bread ~ It works!

Proverbs 22:6 – Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older they will remain upon it.

One of my greatest frustrations in parenting has been trying to teach my children “please” and “thank you.”  They’re four and three, why can’t they get this?  (Please read with intended sarcastic tone.)  We go through the same thing every day:

Caitlyn or Nick – “Mommy!!!  I want juice!!!”

Me – “You do?  Well, what’s the right way to ask?”

C or N in a pouty, angry tone – “Please.”

Me – “You know C or N, I’m much more inclined to give you what you want when you ask me nicely.”

Exit C or N with said juice.                             

We go through the same song and dance with a number of things, including but not limited to:  sitting nicely at the table, using proper table manners, picking up toys, and sharing.  I sound like a broken record, as much as I repeat myself.

However, last week in Kansas City, I almost passed out from shock.

Caitlyn said “please” and “thank you” every time she turned around.  She shared her brand new baby doll.  She played nicely with her cousins, and she was more obedient that week than she’s been in her entire four years.  And Nick got in far less trouble than usual. I know that the Word of God is inerrant, alive, active and relevant.  I’ve just never seen it come true quite like that.

I can remember how insistent my mother was on good table manners.  “Rebecca, Rebecca, strong and able, get those elbows off the table!” was one of her gentle reminders.  “Napkins on your laps, girls,” was another one.  “Girls, there isn’t a word you have to say that’s so important it can’t wait until you chew that food.”  I would roll my eyes and comply, wondering if everyone else’s mothers nagged them this way.  However, to this day I find myself instantly switching into “proper mode” with absolutely no thought when we’re out to eat or hosting company.  My mother’s attempts to ingrain good manners in me were successful.

More important than manners though, is how my children see Christ in me.  It’s a goal of mine to get the kids memorizing Scripture right off the bat (they each know three).  I want them to see me with my Bible open and my eyes closed in prayer.  I want them to learn kindness, hospitality, generosity and grace.  I want them to tithe joyfully and give graciously.  I want them to love others sacrificially.  And I want them to learn it from me.

Perhaps my proudest moment of the week was our second night there.  We were sitting down for dinner, and someone picked up their food.  “Mom!” cried Caitlyn, “We have to bless it first!”  “You’re right honey,” I said.  “Who wants to say grace?”  Caitlyn and Nick actually fought over it.  “Nick, you say it tonight.  Caitlyn, tomorrow it’s your turn.”  And then the precious prayer from the lips of my three and a half year old son:  “Thank you for our food, our friends and our family.  Amen.”

I remind my husband all the time that he needs to be the man he wants Caitlyn to marry.  Every time I look at my little boy I remember that he’s going to grow up and look for a woman (whether he knows it or not) that displays my qualities.  Oh Lord, let them see You in Mike and I, and erase the rest.

Dear Heavenly Father, is there a more difficult or stressful job than parenting?  I don’t think so.  But the rewards are so great!  Thank you for our children.  Please bless them with safety, health and salvation.  Please raise them up to be strong soldiers for Christ.  Place a call on their lives.  Make them bold in the truth.  Keep them pure.  Help us to parent them the same way You parent us:  disciplining out of love, never anger.  A double portion of grace, mercy and forgiveness.  Help us to accept them the way they are, and to grow and nurture their gifts.  Please convict us when we push them into something we hoped we’d be.  Help us to love them the way you love us, unfailing, unconditionally, and eternally.  For those who don’t have children, help us to be a living witness to the younger generations in our circle of influence.  For those who are praying for children, hear their prayers, Oh God, and answer them swiftly.  Give us Your wisdom and discernment.  We love You so much and we pray these things in the beautiful, precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.