Life is busy. This season seems to be especially eventful for our family. We just spent a second weekend visiting our son while he and his wife transition to having two baby girls. Yes, you heard right. Their firstborn is petite at 16 pounds, and is only a year and eleven days older than her new sister, so they really have two babies! “Sugar and spice” abounds in their home.
We’ve enjoyed having an excuse to see them again, as we bring our children, in shifts of a week at a time, to cook and care for their little nieces. Everyone is enjoying and appreciating the benefits of family.
On our way home, we stopped by to see our oldest daughter who is expecting her second child. She’s only seven weeks pregnant but is already so sick – so we asked her if we could ‘borrow’ her little boy for a few days. Now this is a win/win scenario! She gets to rest, her husband will get some much-needed work done, and we get to have sweet innocence in our home again!
With most of our helpers away, my nine-year-old son and I are caring for this nineteen month old, ball of energy! This has rekindled some not-too-distant memories for me. Interrupted sleep being one of them!
Now, I’ve had my share of disrupted nights. It was only a few years ago that I realized it had been 24 years since I had not been awakened by a hungry baby or by my momma’s instinct to check on a little one! My last child no longer needed me to check on him, not even to make sure his blankets were in place. I was now the one sleeping through the night, not just my babies! :o) So can I offer some perspective for you young moms? It will be nice to sleep the whole night through, but you’ll miss cuddling and petting those sweet smelling, velvety-soft babes. Believe me, I know.
As I sat and rocked my grandson last night, memories of all the little ones I rocked and held, cuddled and kissed passed through my mind. I realized again (now with some verifiable proof via parenting for 31 years) that no amount of highly recommended baby items, the best educational toys, or the perfect homeschool curriculum matter more, in the course of raising children, than one commodity.
Here’s a little culture shock – “The most sought after gift for 6 – 12 year olds this year was an Ipad – 44% wanted this more than any other gift”, according to Nielsen ratings! What an era we live in!
The commodity that matters most is time. Time spent together. Time spent offering a hug or cuddling, talking and listening (while making eye contact!), working and playing. Time spent showing our children that we truly love them and will put anything else aside for their best interest.
And the fruit of that time spent? – Trust. Time breeds trust. Trust breeds obedience while they are young, and acceptance of counsel when they are grown. Give your children the best gift imaginable! Time.
Hmmmmm – I think I’ll play a game with my son before my grandson awakes from his nap…..and then we’ll take a walk.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them.
Psalm 103:13-18
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