Good morning friends!
My it’s good to be back with you. A month was a long time to miss this connection for me. However, with illness, family, and holidays I found myself in need of some serious downtime. And the church graciously provided that opportunity for me. I am grateful.
But now I am back in the saddle and feeling greatly re-energized. I am very excited about our current sermon series, “Parenting Like the Father.” And I love the opportunities it gives us to concentrate our efforts on praying for the children in our lives.
I spent last Sunday afternoon doing something I have never done. I played Lego Star Wars on the Xbox for over 2 hours. It was the first video game I have ever played. I must admit, I had no interest in beginning such an activity. However, something clicked inside my head when my 5-year old looked up at me and asked, “Do you want to do battle with me today, Mommy?”
How many times will I have that chance? How many times will my son WANT to play with me? I fear my chances are limited as he grows older. So instead of focusing on whatever I had planned to do that afternoon, I just sat down and let him teach me how to play.
We had a great time. I learned how to fly a jet fighter and shoot lasers. I learned how to swing a light saber and turn flips in mid-air. Most importantly, I learned how my son thinks, and what he feels is important. It was an enlightening day.
I also got an added bonus: He showed me how to use the “force” to manipulate situations and bad guys. We had a great talk about this “force” and the force that gives us power in our own lives – The Holy Spirit. Daniel very much wants to be a superhero. He wants to defeat the bad guys at every turn. What a blessing it was for me to invest some time in transforming his heart from Jedi Knight to Man of God. What an education for me.
My Lord and My God – How thankful I am for this time that You created for me to spend with my child. I wouldn’t take anything for it.
I am really beginning to learn that there are very few things more important than this time, the here and now. I am doing my best to look at my opportunities and make the most of them with my children. I may be doing things that I am not particularly interested in. But that is not the point. My interest lies in my children, what they think, what is important to them, and what is going on with them today. I have found that each day brings a new set of concerns, questions, and conversations – if I take the time to engage.
I am learning that their faith and values are not so much developed on Sundays as they are in the everyday activities of life. And those times are my responsibility. What an incredible privilege.
Heavenly Father,
How I praise You, for You continue to teach and lead me through this journey called parenting. I don’t always get it right. Help me to listen to the leadings of Your Holy Spirit. Show me how best to invest my time each day, so that my children will know they are loved. Help me to seize the opportunities in front of me to raise kingdom builders for Your glory. And Lord, make me aware when I let less important things take priority over this calling on my life.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen
mysaviorspeaks 
lana- you are so right! our parenting is best accomplished in the “small stuff” i believe…i love those precious moments more than anything. thanks for reminding me i must embrace the video game at some point- at least for a little while (the thought nauseates me! but i adore my son, soooo…..) xoxo, s