Good news! That little stomach bug is over and done with - in a mere 36 hours! I am not sure if it was the massive amounts of probiotics I consumed, or just my incredible immune system (that's a laugh, isn't it?), but I am so thankful to feel normal again.The timing is always off for these kinds of things, isn't it? We never seem to get sick when life is slow and we were planning to stay home anyway. Oh wait! That's because life is never that slow! Ha, what was I thinking?
Regardless, it was a busy time for Dave, and so there was no calling hubby home to take care of this sick momma.
But I have to brag on my kiddos for just a bit. When I was at my worst on Wednesday afternoon and evening, they handled it so well! They played in their rooms together for hours until Dave made it home, never once giving me a minute of trouble. No arguing, no fighting, no repetitive ball throwing against the wall until I felt like loosing my mind. I was amazed, and oh, so thankful for small mercies.
The picture above is from a different day, but they did a lot of reading together, from what I overheard from my bed.
At one point I heard Ethan tell Simon, "Hey, brother, let's go get a snack in the kitchen. Come with me, brother." And they headed into the kitchen to eat a cheese stick together.
Meanwhile, I was hugging the toilet. :(
They took care of themselves for 5 hours without any help from me. And the house was still in really good shape when Dave got home. Aren't they the best?!
To me, it is just a reassurance that they are learning something here at home. I have to admit, sometimes I wonder! I find myself venting here about the hard days more often than the good ones, and I really shouldn't do that. It isn't an accurate picture of life around here. Not that Wednesday was a particularly good day for me, but seriously, my boys could not have been better behaved. It made me realize that our training is somehow paying off, even now while they are young, and there is no way we can quit now!
Because some days I feel like quitting. Okay, there, I said it. Don't be shocked. My husband hears it all the time. Don't worry though - he won't let me quit. :)
I thought of Proverbs 29:17 today,
"Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul."
and Hebrews 12:11,
"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
It is not for nothing! We serve the Lord when we train little ones at home for Him. And work for Him yields fruit, in His time. This is so humbling to me because I regularly feel like the most impatient momma out there. I have one bad day, and I am just sure I have failed completely! (I am so dramatic, aren't I?) But on Wednesday I was reminded to continue on, to be faithful in what the Lord has asked of me. Because it does matter. Because it has an effect.
Because the Lord is working in our family - in His time. Isn't that reassuring?
12 comments:
It is very reassuring. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, that is so encouraging for me to hear. As I am starting out on this journey of "guidance", I feel so overwhelmed. Some days it is just so hard. Austin and Ethan seem so alike in certain ways, so it is so good for me to see how Ethan is turning out and what has worked for you guys, etc.
Keep up the great work...
I am sorry you were sick! I didn't realize that's why you didn't make it to church Wednesday. I love the verses you shared, and the encouraging words.
I know exactly how you feel...it's been so hard to train my dog to obey me and not do anything bad like poop on the floor. But maybe someday my training will pay off.
J/K
I thought this was hilarious and sat here laughing to myself because I really don't train Lady and she is nothing like a kid...more like a sister. And I have nothing in common with your situation. HAHA :)
I'm a loser and it's the end of the day and I want to go home. :)
Poor thing! Hopefully it will all pass soon. This truly has been a terrible Winter/Spring so far.
Thanks for your great post and words of wisdom. They come at the perfect time for me too.
Thanks for sharing, Rachel. It's reassuring for me to hear that someday my boy will grow old enough to be able to do something for himself, whereas now he depends on me for everything and it wears me out. (ie when he needs to eat he just whines for me rather than goes to the kitchen and gets a cheese stick!) I am glad you were able to rest. -A
I cannot quit laughing, Reagan. You are hilarious! Thanks for trying to relate. :)
I may not have children to completely relate to your situation but what encouraged me so much was to see how the Lord used a really bad day to encourage your heart. If you hadn't been sick, it would not have struck you as strongly as it did that they really are learning to obey even when you're not right there by their side to enforce. Your diligence in teaching them is truly paying off.
I am reminded by your post that sometimes it is in the really bad days that we can see the really great things God is doing in our lives!! Praise to our Savior!
Ruth, I know what you mean. When E was Austin's age, I thought he'd never learn to obey. Some days I still have my doubts. :) But when I look back, he is such a different kid now than he was back then. He has grown up so much in a few short years. Keep it up with Austie! We miss him so much and can't wait to see you guys!
So sorry to hear you weren't feeling well!
I know what you mean about the kids acting so grown up.
Right after we all got home from Guatemala with Nathaniel, Dave went on a two week trip.
Ana was SO helpful! I could not believe it, almost.
She was packing up diaper bags, buckling babies in car seats, & running to get blankets, bottle & diapers w/ out even being asked.
How did I get so lucky?
I sure don't think I had much to do w/ it! :-)
What an encouragement to your heart that must have been, Rachel! I love those little kisses from the Lord, reminders to keep pressing on.
I'm sure the enemy of our souls would love for you to feel defeated, to feel like a failure as a mother, and to give up. WE all know you're not any of those things - but it's so good for YOU to be able to see tangible evidence of the progress the Lord is allowing you to make in the lives of your boys.
Keep up the good work!
God is good, all the time!
Thanks for sharing! It reminds me of my boys! You're post brought back some really great memories of seeing my boys do the same. I'm not sure what it is in them that goes off when they see "Mommy" hurting, or at least not her normal self. They definitely step up to the plate and take charge in a way that blows your socks off! I always remember looking to the Lord and saying THANK YOU! when I saw my boys stepping up to the plate! One of my favorite verses out of Isaiah is that, "the Lord will gently lead those who are with young." I'm so glad He understands, is full of compassion, and that He gives us glimpses of what our hard work is doing in our children's lives...even if it does come through us feeling bad!
Post a Comment