More words on child rearing . . .

My kids are NOT always "so good." 
They, not very unlike their parents, are sinners. 
They, not very unlike their parents, have the strangest ideas, and are constantly in need of grace, mercy and a good swift kick in the keister.

And somehow we "have merriment" (that's what the lady on the phone who dialed the wrong number just said, "you have merriment." What a nice way to put it!).

I had another one of those questions I giggle at later. "How do you get your kids to be so good?"
Well, sister, they certainly don't just come that way!

Here is my LONG response. 'Cause I love ya!

I was thinking about our "how to" child rearing confab and thought, 

"I'm with my children all the time."

Gene and I have not given authority to our children over to anyone else (with the exception of sometimes - grandparents, a brief stint in school, sitters - 'cause once I had a "real" job)
So, although we are not always consistent, and we are VERY fallible in all our ways - we aim to be consistant and above reproach ("He's still working on me . . .").

These children rely totally on us. To lead, teach, train, provide . . . 
We attempt to be one sided (on the same side) and focused. (Attempt!) 

We aren't striving for excellence. We aren't striving for genius. We are okay with totally ordinary. We are striving to turn their heart toward God (lofty goal!) and have them turn out to be Godly men and women (servant hearted, kind, moral, good citizens, prayerful . . .). 
Our goal is not to have raised our children but to have raised good adults. 

That's not a responsibility we just hand over because somebody else has a degree, or a background check, or a want to, or . . . 

And we seek godly counsel - Preachers like Voddie Baucham, John MacArthur, and some families - the Maxwells, Campbells, Strattons, Pearls even the Duggars - and then sometimes we have to fly by the seat of our pants and pray. (We may not agree with these people 100% on every tiny issue - but they have produced Really Good fruit!)

Proverbs 22:6 - may not be a promise but it is a great principal.

Illustration Credit

People often talk of the sacrifice that parents make. Woe to them. 
We aren't "giving up" stuff in place of the children - rather, we are blessed with children. Blessed to be entrusted with their very souls for such a short time! 
Blessed that the stuff we are "giving up" wasn't important anyway. 

The "stuff" can come - maybe - in the midst of grandchildren (greater blessings). Our reward in old age. 

It's not easy. 

Heaven's sake! What is? 

Sometimes drawing breath can be hard!

Take that breather, Mama, and get back in the fight. 

Marriage is hard. Times are hard. Jobs are hard. Learning new things is hard. Leading/ministering to a group of women is HARD. 

Raising children is hard.

You already hold the instruction book. Your already doing great. 

Keep seeking those who can give wise counsel. 

And keep your priorities straight = God's princess, wife, mother, other. 

(And when you seem me slipping on my priorities tell me!!!) 

My kids really aren't THAT good! (Goats are never mentioned well in the Bible and thus "kids")

I have a friend who's boys - big'uns - like to come over and play with us. We (the children and I) love hanging out with this family. Recently, the middle boy (about 12) was talking with his cousin about women who intimidate them. Guess who's at the top of his list? Me. And who, between Nana and Mrs. Erin is the meanest? Me again. And guess who he'd go live with if it weren't for the fact of the whole parental relationship thing? Mrs. Erin wins again. 

I've set that little (taller than me) feller straight a few times and he loves me all the more - he shows more respect. 

And (snicker) I'm proud to be the mean Mama. That's my job. 

One last thing - and I'll end this long narrative: Marriage first, children second. 

That man gets the bigger portion. (sounds silly to a mom of tiny children - impossible! But when we focus first on being the wife God made us to be for the man we are made for - being the mother to his children becomes much easier). 

(insert Looney tunes end music here) That's all! (for now)

Picture for Grandmother: Josiah's first hair cut he gave himself. Not too terrible.