I have had the privilege of knowing this particular family since their kids were in early elementary school- They have left an impression on me not only for their open hearts but also because they live such a 'real' life- a life that was not filled with perfectness and unrealistic expectations but instead filled with a Godly realisticness.....
As a parent, I am going to mess up- my kids are going to mess up- Pride wants me to expect perfection from not only myself but also those that mean the most to me (or those that are a reflection of me)- Pride wants to cover the unpleasant and only reveal the things that seem 'perfect' and to make sure that my family is only portraying our 'we've got it all togetherness'-Pride is what was lacking in my friend today- In it's place was the wisdom of humility.....an acceptance of reality filled with a love for where each one of her kids were at.....
When she answered my question it was not some profound answer- it was simple:
'Pick and Choose your battles'.......in that sentence she was communicating to let your kids be who God called them to be not who we as parents set up in our mind we want them to be- Build our kids up when they fail (yes, let them experience consequences but don't shame them into believing they are worthless etc..)
The stories she told of her children's 'learning lessons' to get to where they are today are not ones filled with over achieving abundance- they are stories filled with learning from hard times- They were also filled with hope that God can take EVERYTHING in our life, the good bad and ugly, and use it for His Glory-
My prayer is that I can be a mother who has the wisdom to allow my children to be who God made them- Even if it does not fit into my 'perfect mold' for the way I saw my child's life going-
Thank you so much for the example in your family Laura- hugs to you guys!
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