Loving My Children

The greatest challenges as a mom of young children seem to come when I am tired, stressed, or simply not in a good mood. In other words, it has only a little to do with my children's behaviors and choices.

Where am I with the Lord? Have I had my daily time reading in my Bible and talking with the King of Kings? How I answer those questions seems to be reflected in my day with my kids. Am I short with them, impatient, even rude...? Or am I on the floor playing and reading to them; dancing to silly songs, and loving on them with a heart of gladness?

My children are so precious! The oldest is 4 years old. He is obsessed with animals and I have to admit, it gets tiring trying to play animals with him every day, all day long. Sometimes I have to put his animals away where he can't get at them in order for him to play with something else.

My youngest is 7 months. He is such a happy little boy! I believe his greatest joys in life are having his mommy close and watching his brother. Oh he laughs when he watches his brother! They are buddies already. :)

I have made a decision to be the mom that God wants me to be. It is most certainly a work in progress. One thing I know for sure is that I MUST invest spiritually into my children every day! My oldest and I have began having devotions every morning out of his Jesus Story Book Bible. We sit at the table eating our breakfast and once I am finished I get the book and we read together while he finishes. The conversations it has brought about are quite amusing and strange sometimes. And yet, it amazes me how deeply my little 4 year old thinks.

Another conclusion I have come to in my endeavor is this: I MUST hug and kiss my children every day, many times a day. They need to hear the words, "I love you" often.

"Lord, help me to be the mom that you want me to be today. Give me a love for my boys like the love you have for me, Father. Thank you for your grace. Please take up where I fail. Thank you for the gift that they are to me. Amen."