Just when I think that what I’m trying to teach my kids, isn’t sinking in something like this happens.
We have recently started doing a 1000 piece puzzle as a family. On our family nights, we gather around the puzzle table and we spend time together. I thought this would be a good way to spend time as a family as well as teach my girls how to focus and problem solve. We don’t have many rules during this time, but one of the main ones is no horseplay. Tonight after several warnings, my 7-year-old daughter decided to spank her big sister (9 yo) on the booty. Daddy explained to her that she had been warned and told that it is a peaceful time. So he sent her off to bed and told her we would be there to say goodnight when we were done with puzzle time.
What followed I can only explain as blood-curdling screams from across the house. Stacia does not do well when sent to bed on her own. She gets scared when she’s alone on the other side of the house. So my husband went and told her that screaming wasn’t going to get her out of her room. She was warned that it was peaceful time not play time. Through her tears and gasps for breath, she told her daddy that she was just trying to be funny. Trying not to laugh at her sweet innocence he told her it wasn’t time for that. So he walked out of her room into the hallway and stood near her door. When she thought she was all alone her daddy was listening in and this is what he heard.
“Jesus I don’t want to be upset and crying anymore. I want to have fun. I don’t want to be funny I want to be peaceful. Jesus, I pray that daddy and mommy and Jaylee have fun during puzzle time. I pray that daddy gives me another chance to be peaceful.”
He couldn’t quite make out all the words because she was crying so hard, but that was the gist of her sweet little prayer. She didn’t get another chance to be peaceful at the puzzle table tonight, but it was a beautiful teaching moment for both her and us. She got to learn that we mean what we say, we are trustworthy and we keep our word. We got to learn that the Holy Spirit really is faithful in using us to teach our kids and bring them up in godliness. I love that in a moment of disappointment and despair, for her seven-year-old heart, she knew she could turn to Jesus for comfort.
Tonight wasn’t easy, but it blessed my heart beyond measure. I just wanted to share this as a way to encourage you to keep pressing forward. I know it may seem like nothing you say sinks in, but I assure you it most definitely is! Keep on teaching them how to commune with God, keep telling stories of God’s faithfulness. Don’t stop, just keep pressing forward. Because if we don’t give up, we will indeed reap a great harvest.
let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 {The Message Translation}
With Love
Your Friend Jenn