I recently came across this prayer on my church’s website and it reminded me to enjoy my children. I have bolded the parts that are part of the actual prayer and also added my own commentary and reflection.
Lord, as I live this day, renew in me the ability to…
Laugh at my children’s antics;
Like when Ella James asked me what kind of “cold beer” I was drinking when I opened my can of Sprite in the car…
Share their moments of pride;
Even when artistic expression takes the form of permanent black Sharpie on the living room wall…
Praise their separate strengths;
Like Clay’s upper body strength as he climbs out of his crib like a monkey…
Trust their growing judgment;
Understand their changing moods;
But do not believe Ella James when she says she will start to take a nap again if she gets a Happy Napper…
Forgive their disrespect;
See the truth in Ella James’ saying “Mommy, you are not getting any babysitting money because you were fighting with Daddy this morning”…
Learn their ways and styles;
Accept Ella James’ dawdling and figure out new ways to frame everything as Clay’s idea…
Hear what they are saying;
When Clay shouts “where are my minivans?”, run (don’t walk) to get his Silly Bandz…
Embrace their doubts and fears;
Understand their broken dreams;
And let Ella James wallow in the sadness of not getting a Build-A-Bear or Happy Napper for her 5th birthday…
Accept that their lives are built just one day at a time.
And recognize that my children are “on loan” to me because everyday their wings grow a little more and one day they will fly away so I should treasure the trials, chaos and laughs!
Amen.
6 comments
Love this! Happy Kindergarten week Ella James!!
This is an amazing prayer. Thank you so much for sharing!
I like this too!! I like the idea that they “are on loan”. I’ve never thought of it that way – I know I want to give my child(ren) roots and wings, so she (and hopefully one day ‘they’) can stay grounded and know she (they) can always come home, but strong and confident enough to fly on her (their) own!
Sweet!
I love it! And I love the funny things they say. We are toying with the idea of a rewards charts and discussed it with our 6 daughter who turns to me and says “and you and Daddy get a chart too and we will track how well you are doing”. Too funny.
Love it! The silly bands thing cracks me up! Like when Cameron calls our neighbor Melanie “lemonie”