Planting Seeds

Parenting can be a tough job. Sometimes we may feel low on patience, energy, time or many other things. Our feisty little 3 yr. old has tested my patience lately. ;) Each of our kids personalities are different and it is a learning experience at times when it comes to parenting. Kids don't always listen, but I have found that most of the time they are paying attention to the small things.

Recently, Shaylee wasn't listening very well and had to take a time-out. When I went to talk to her a few minutes later, I told her that she was in time-out for not listening to Mommy and that she has to listen to her parents and do what we say. Right when I said that she suddenly perked up and said with a smile, "That's what I heard at church in my class! Jesus wants us to listen to our parents!" It was like she had a little "lightbulb" moment. This was a small seed that had been planted, and she heard it. Thank you Sunday school and Jr. Church teachers...we are so blessed to have people that dedicate their time every week to help teach our children God's Word.

Our oldest daughter is 15 and will be 16 next month...wow! I especially remember that ever since she first went to Kindergarten, almost every report card she got year after year and the conferences that we went to with her teachers, we consistently heard the same things. "She has such a sweet spirit", or "she's the peacemaker in the class". Taryn couldn't stand to see someone mistreated or friends fighting. She has a tender and compassionate heart, and God has allowed the seeds that so many people have planted in her to grow. I pray that His plans for her, and all my children will be accomplished and will bring glory to Him! One thing that I hear and see constantly from parents is, "Just wait until they become teenagers..it's terrible!!" I think teenagers get a bad rep...no one is perfect, but as the parent of one, I disagree completely with that thinking. We have to sow the seeds when they are young! I can honestly say that my teenage daughter is such an amazing blessing to me and she knows that we don't expect her to be perfect. I thank God that as parents, we have the ability through Christ to re-write that stereotypical story! Don't allow the world to dictate to you what your children should be or how to raise them. The world and the devil want to tear them down and win them over, but through God's word we know that He has a completely different plan!

When I was a young teenager (maybe 13) I had spent the night at my grandparents house, along with my sister and cousin. We loved to spend time at their house. My Papaw decided that he wanted the three of us to read the Lord's Prayer (Matthew Ch. 6) while he recorded it on tape. We kind of resisted and kept asking why he wanted us to make the recording. I think he said that he wanted it so he could listen to it sometimes. We reluctantly agreed to do it, but as giggly teenage girls do, we didn't take it very seriously and of course found every blunder or mistake hilarious. Needless to say, we didn't make it very easy on him and it took a long time to get it right, and for us to contain our giggles. He got a little bit frustrated with us, and at the time we really just didn't understand why it was so important to him.

When the tape was finished, he played it back and as we all listened he started to cry. We felt bad then for not taking it seriously, and I realized that it meant a lot to him to have it. I know I didn't fully realize how much it meant until I grew up and had children of my own. That was one of the many ways he "planted seeds" in us as we were growing up. As I got older and got a job and sometimes wasn't as faithful to church as I should have been, when I would see Papaw he would never scold me or make me feel bad, but he would just say, "Papaw missed you at church, baby." He always talked about the Lord and I knew how much he wanted for all of us to be together one day in heaven.

I was only four years old when my Dad passed away, and even though I don't have many memories of him at all, he has been such an example of faith to me all of my life. Everywhere I go, I hear what a great man my dad was and how much he was loved and how he loved God.  My mom has been a living testimony to me my entire life of God's strength and His promises fulfilled.

I treasure those "lightbulb" moments that I have seen in my kids, and when my patience is running low it helps to remember all the "seeds" that my parents and family took the time to sow in me. We have just a small amount of time, to be the biggest influence in our children's lives. Take advantage of those small opportunities to plant the seeds that will carry through into their adulthood...they will not forget them. Stop being busy long enough to answer the hundreds of questions that they ask, and to actually listen when they speak. Teach them how to pray! Tell them that God is their heavenly Father and he loves them and is there always and they can talk to Him anytime.

Most importantly, let them see you living out a real, genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Your actions will speak louder to them than any words. Read the Bible out loud to them, pray with them and for them. Make church a priority for your family.  Don't be afraid to admit that you made a mistake or say you're sorry...you are human and your kids should see you owning up to your mistakes and making things right.

I hope that God will encourage you as parents and grandparents. Plant those seeds deep! You may not see the evidence of growth for years, but they will take root and flourish in His time.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them upon 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6: 6-9