The last couple of weeks have just been one two of those weeks. It has taken every ounce of energy to complete the myriad of things that needed to be done around here. I’m not sure if I left my house except to go to church and one field trip with Arwen. (We did go to the park one day.)
This can only mean that I have at least six blog posts bouncing around up in my head and we are due for an explosion of thoughts any day now.
I’m picking this one first because I just have to jot down this conversation before I forget it.
Charis: “Mom, I prayed for Arwen in the night, that she would be ready for her art class today.”
(Arwen got to go to an art class, but Charis was below the age requirement and had to stay behind. Turns out she would have been fine to go, but she still had a great attitude about getting left out. Characteristic of Charis.)
Arwen: “She didn’t do it out of the goodness of her heart. She did it because I asked her to.”
Me: “Oh? Were you nervous about your art class?”
Arwen: “Well. I felt like I was getting sick and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to go. I wouldn’t want to make other people sick. So I asked Charis to pray for me and she did!”
I clarified with them that all of this took place in their room after we had put them to bed the night before. I love these little glimpses into the lives and relationships of my children. I had only one sibling growing up- a brother. Whom will always be one of my dearest friends and confidants. I know that he will always love and support me, and he knows he can expect the same from me. We also had a little brother added to our family when I was almost 12, but the relationship isn’t the same since we didn’t “grow up” together.
Charis, who didn’t get to go to the art class, wasn’t even bitter about being asked to pray for her sister to not get sick so she wouldn’t miss it. And the vulnerability in Arwen to ask for prayer was touching!
These are little people, Mammas and Daddies. Little people with real souls and real minds and really real and valid thoughts and ideas. Have you looked your children in the eyes today? Have you talked with them about what is on their minds?
It’s hard to squeeze in, in weeks like these last two. When you can’t go potty without someone interrupting you, you barely get to bathe, and every stinkin’ ounce of energy is squeezed out of you just in keeping clothes on their bodies, food in their tummies, ideas in their heads, and gum out of their hair.
Love them. Respect them. Teach them. Serve them. You’ll get a good return on your investment.