Bickering
Tattling
Name Calling
Rough Housing
Annoying!!
I am up to my eyebrows raising 3 little boys... It is unbelievable to me the fights that break out over a toy, or a block, or a stick! (or anything!) They are crazy competitive, at eachother's throats and have the ability to make me feel like I am totally losing my mind. The messes they make, the disaster that goes in their wake is unreal. They battle tempers, raw and wild emotions, jealousy, anger & selfishness. The things that SCREAM out to me, demand discipline, beg for prayer and take up a lot of our time together.
And then there are the quiet moments
The moments that could easily slip by as I breath a sigh of relief or just try to regroup. Moments where they are sitting together at the table drawing their favorite superheros. Moments where they are laying side by side on their bellies looking at the new search and find book from the library. Moments when they are eachother's greatest defender, protector, best friend. These type of moments do not scream for attention, or demand me to even notice them... in fact, they are much the opposite. These moments threaten to slip by unnoticed in all the hecticness of daily life. These moments must be intentionally sought out- and then I have the choice to let these moments soak deep into my very being. Seeing glimpses of their true character starting to shine through all the negative bits and pieces that are tempting them at every turn gives me hope.
The fight that doesn't take place because my 7 year old chooses to put his little brother before himself. The name that isn't called because my hot tempered 5 year old is actively being changed by a Savior that loves him and called him by name! The bickering that is nipped in the bud because even my 3 year old is learning, little by little, how to be a friend. These moments are silent and filled to the brim with peace- these moments are the ones that are SO easy to miss if my only focus is on the fight that took place an hour ago. The sweet times with these little boys can fade into the shadows if I allow the tattling from the past to hold my attention.
My goal this year is to notice the moments that would otherwise go unnoticed. And to uplift these guys in prayer for all the areas that are still a challenge. I want my perspective to be one with eternal value- and I want to take the time to notice prayers being answered each time the quiet moments surface. God began a work in each of their individual lives the very moment they chose to accept Him as their Savior- and I am going to claim the promise that the Word gives:
What little moments in your life are going by unnoticed today?
