God is teaching me so much about His love through my children.
Today we visited another family. She and her three children were perfect. They had a huge house and a beautiful yard. The mom was taking a Master’s in addition to working once a week, kept her house immaculate, and sewed and ran for fun. The kids (all younger than 5, about the same ages as my 3) ran 5ks and were learning French, music, and reading. The baby was three months and already sleeping through the night. They had a perfect schedule and were busy but never rushed. Everyone communicated politely and effectively with one another. Everyone was calm, peaceful, and happy.
How Can You Relate with That?
The whole time I was there, I found myself hiding information about my own family. I didn’t want to talk about us. I didn’t want to brag on our successes or complain about struggles. I didn’t want to compare ourselves to them at all. I had this nagging question in the back of my mind: was I doing enough for my kids? Should they be learning these things? Would they be happier reading Great Books every evening and conversing in Latin with one another? At the very least, should I be pushing reading?
I thought I was a good parent, and my kids are great, but I do not have it together at that level. I felt uncomfortable.
Am I Enough? Are my Kids Enough?
We went to the park after we left. I watched my kids running around the playground in the hot sun. They were climbing and jumping and yelling and laughing. And I was suddenly so happy. They were perfect after all! They don’t have to speak French by kindergarten to be wonderful and to bring joy into the world.
When I look at my kids, I think of how God looks at me. This other mom and I were like kids ourselves, meeting on the playground. Perhaps she has a puppy and I don’t. Maybe she can do the monkey bars and I can’t. It just doesn’t matter, because I have a God who loves me and watches me like I watch my own beautiful children on the playground.
Live for Heaven, Not for Earth
That thought cheered me. I know I can come to God when I’m tired, covered with sweat and dirt from running and playing and laughing, and I can lay my head on His chest and rest there. He doesn’t care how I measure up to the others. I am His, and I make Him happy.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Looking for thoughts on being with your godchildren? Check out this post.
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