Getting out the Brushes

My children are such a blessing! They're smart and funny and generally do their best at everything that's required of them. But there are frustrating times, too. We've been struggling in a few areas lately. Mr. Monk has had a hard time with self-control. Twinkle Toes needs to be reminded of the importance of truthfulness. Measle struggles with cheerful compliance and American Boy is trying to learn to use his words and to be flexible rather than crying every time something doesn't go his way. Even Baby Lu is trying Mommy's patience these days. It seems like overnight she went from being this cute, docile baby to a strong-willed, shrill-voiced bully. So I've been revisiting the parenting books. I love this quote from To Train up a Child by Michael and Debi Pearl.

"If you have painted a picture you don't like, don't blame the canvas. Get out the brushes and paint something better over the mess you made."

So simple, yet profound! I'm fortunate my children are so good natured and want so badly to please me. Whenever I learn something new and want to implement it, they're always game. They really adjust well. When we took their tv away a year or two ago, they didn't protest. When a friend came over and packed up 4 bags of their Barbie stuff, the girls didn't fuss one bit. Twinkle Toes even helped her to the car with them. When I decided after reading the Duggar's book Twenty and Counting that I wanted them to start saying "yes ma'am" every time I asked or told them to do something they really got into the Yes Ma'am Game. They've never had an allowance like most other kids and they don't complain about it. They're good and precious children, but they are children and Big D and I are supposed to be teaching them and training them so that their lives will glorify God.

I often stop by the Internet Cafe Devotions and this morning we were asked if there was one request that God would grant you, what would it be. Immediately I knew the answer. My greatest desire is to one day look down from heaven and see thousands of my grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, etc. serving the Lord in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. This requires that Big D and I have a multi-generational view of our family right now. The parenting decisions we make now will have long lasting effects, either for the good or bad. A godly heritage is the proverbial gift that keeps on giving. Likewise, neglecting to instruct and discipline our children now will be the curse that keeps on taking.

So at the recommendation of the Pearls, I'm getting out the brushes. There's much I love about the portrait that is our family life. It's not a complete mess, but it can be better.

(By the way the beautiful illustrations for tonight's post are The Measle's and Twinkle Toes' interpretations of Kandinsky.)