Again, He has Reminded Me....

There are days when my heart is filled with awe at the great privilege and responsibility the Lord has bestowed upon us in our children. Today is one such day. Little lives to shape, to mold, to encourage, to instruct, to train in righteousness, to educate, to love, to pray with and for. Precious hearts, little souls whom we can not save, can not redeem, yet with whom we are commanded to teach them in the way they should go. The joy, the blessing, the responsibility is great. Praise the Lord for it!I recently heard it said, "If you are more concerned with your child learning their multiplication facts than you are them learning the scriptures, your priorities are not in check." I have had to remind myself of this truth often lately. Why is it, that is so easy, and seems so crucial, that I give my children the best education yet find it so easy to not have time for what is most important? Why, do I so easily focus on shaping their minds, rather than nurturing their hearts?

This week, for the gabillionth time this year, I found myself once again researching curriculum reviews. Am I using the best math curriculum..or should I switch to Singapore? Would Sonlight really be worth that money? Latin beginning in 2nd or 3rd grade? Wow....a logic program for 2 year olds...would that make calculus easier in the long run?

In the distance, through the open window, I could hear little Evangeline taking 2 year old Samuel on a bug hunt. "Come on Samuel, we need to catch some bugs quick before chilly weather comes." I listened to her instruct her little brother in how to catch bugs and where to best places are. Over the course of the past few days, I have watched Evangeline gently tend to her sick brother Landis, eagerly wanting to help put a cool rag on his head and take him pedialyte. She has happily, and without complaint, set the table, cleared the dishes, gotten Samuel dressed and folded clothes. My little girl, who only last week turned 7, has a precious heart which is turned towards home. A little heart who loves the Lord, and would sit in my lap all day and ask questions about the scriptures....if only I had time to listen and answer them.

I state and proclaim that my one desire for my kids is that they know the Lord, seek justice an love mercy. That is true...it is my prayer for them that they would walk in the truth! Yet many days it would appear that all I am more concerned about educating their minds than shepherding their hearts.

Today, as He has graciously done so many times before, the Lord is reminding me of what is most important. Yes, doing a good job of educating my children is an important responsibility I have....but not the most important.

Today, I am reminded I am called to teach the truths of God's Word to my children, to sit and answer their many questions....to pass the covenant of redemption on to the next generation.

Today, He has once again refreshed in my heart and mind what I want our home to be, how I desire and am called to serve my husband, how vital it is that I raise valiant, Godly boys and how important it is for me to train my little girl to be a keeper at home.

Evangeline means, "One who brings good news!" She does just that, in her gentle, kind, tenderhearted way. For years now, I have tried (oftentimes weak, feeble attempts!) to begin instilling in her how to run a home and the purpose of doing such. Many days, it seems like such work. Many days, it would just be faster, easier and more effective to do it all myself. But would I be equipping my children if I neglected training them?

This week, it has been a blessing to see that hard work is paying off. In spite of my many failures and shortcomings, my baby girl is transforming into a little lady....a daughter of the King.

When Evangeline notices that the carpet if dirty, and of her own accord gets the vacuum and cleans things up with a cheerful heart, I am reminded...

"she sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks." Proverbs 3:17

I am reminded that the most important job for a parent is to shepherd our children's' hearts, teach them the truth of the Savior and equip them for life.

I see glimmers of hope and a gentle voices whispers, "press on!" each day.

Since her birth, Evangeline has watched me grind wheat and make bread.
Yesterday, she made her own batch of bread, from start to finish.

Standing beside her, watching my little girl and giving her tips as she mixed the dough, kneaded the dough and braided the loaves was surreal. Where has the time gone?!? The little baby I just yesterday was carrying in the sling is now baking the bread!

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

Our time with our children is so limited!
It is a gift....one that is given for a time and cannot be reclaimed. May He continue to remind, encourage, equip and grant wisdom to those of us on this journey!

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7

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***For those of you wondering, "How is the adoption going?"....still just waiting.
Waiting, praying for our little one and birthmother...and trying to remind ourselves that He is in control of this journey and one day that phone will ring!