Wednesday, October 2, 2013

thoughts on shepherding.


an excerpt from a book i am reading:

"many people have children, but do not want to be parents. our culture has convinced them that they need to quench their personal thirst for fulfillment. in a self-absorbed culture, children are a clear liability. thus, parents spend minimal time with their children."

"this shepherding process is richer interaction than telling your child what to do and think. it involves investing your life in your child in open and honest communication that unfolds the meaning and purpose of life. it is not simply direction, but direction in which there is self-disclosure and sharing. values and spiritual vitality are not simply taught, but caught."
shepherding a child's heart, tedd tripp.

being a wife and a mother are my most prized identities after a child of God.

there is nothing i have wanted more.

there is nothing that brings me more joy and to a deeper dependence on God.

it is necessary for me to be around my little ones as much as possible.
in order to model love and patience and grace and self-control and gentleness and kindness.
in order to show them values.
in order to have plenty of time to gently correct and guide.

i am thankful for the opportunity to live slowly. 
to have ample time to sit and listen to my boy "read." the same book over 10 times if that is 
what he wants. 
for him to see my interest, my patience, my pride.

i don't want to just tell him, i want to show him. 

i am thankful that "too busy" is not in my vocabulary. 
it can't be right now.
the price to pay is much too high.

while these thoughts have been dancing around in my heart, i came across this post and these words,

"When push comes to shove and it is either the house or the kids, God choses the kids, and He tells me to. When it is the laundry all done or the kids all loved, it had better be the kids. When it is mom as an uptight dictator about the shoe placement or the mom who is laughing at the huge spill in the kitchen, I know which one God wants me to be."

i choose my three right now.
over anything and everything else.

i choose to take the time to stop and listen.
to stop and connect.
to stop and show grace.
to stop and be all here.
to stop and show them that i mess up too and need forgiveness.

to stop and show them that i believe these words, so that they too will embrace His identity.

"We are not broken. We are being healed. We are not alone. We are in His hands. We are not overwhelmed. We have a champion. We are not stupid. We are being made wise. We are not weak. For He is not weak. We are not hopeless.  For we are His."

xoxo.

linking up with Casey!

2 comments:

  1. I love that last quote, where is it from? And the pictures of your son are so cute!

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    1. it is from the same post as the quote a little farther up! i should have mentioned that! ;) here is the link: http://www.feminagirls.com/2013/09/30/gel-pen-faith/#more-5947 ... thank you so much for stopping by!! xoxo

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