Priorities and the Tide of Life

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what I’m teaching my sons. What kind of legacy am I leaving them? Yes, I’m a scrapbooker, so this is generally something I think about often, but I don’t actually mean “legacy” in that way.

I mean in the way that they view life, God, people, themselves. It weighs on my heart because I’m a very imperfect human with more faults than I care to admit. I fail my sons so often in this area.

I rest on the fact that God knew what He was doing when He blessed us with these 6 amazing young men, but that doesn’t mean that I feel like I’m fully capable all the time. But I know that there are many moms that feel like that, even with 3 children!

So, what do we do to make sure that we’re leading our children the way they should go? Believe it or not I think it can all be summed up in one word…Priorities. I know all too well how quickly we get caught up in the everyday ebb and flow of life.

If the tide took us consistently in the right direction, life would be so good! Wouldn’t that be so easy? It’s a little crazy to think of all the times I’ve asked God to make life little easier for the right direction to be made crystal clear, but more often than not it isn’t because I’m not looking in the right direction.

So if you’re struggling with the imperfectness of your parenting, I encourage you to maybe take a few minutes and honestly write down your current priorities…what is the one thing you spend most of your time doing. For many of us it is understandably the responsibilities of motherhood. Those responsibilities can feel like they are all consuming!

But to be the very best parent, we need to go to the One who gave us these children and daily ask Him for guidance and direction. Here’s a couple of thoughts…

But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. (John 11:22 – NIV)

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NIV)

2 Responses to Priorities and the Tide of Life
  1. Cheryl E Weaver
    May 12, 2009 | 10:22 am

    I also think it is very important to remember that each child is not going to react the same way. Each one is wired differently and we do need to respect that. And then I have to offer this story: My oldest child was not a cuddle bug and preferred to not hug much. I really tried to respect that. My second son was a cuddle bug – happy days. When I drove a school bus they would meet me between runs to join me on my bus – I eagerly hugged the youngest and with respect did not hug the oldest. As adults we have discussed this – my oldest wanted to be hugged – I think sometimes of all the hugs we missed!!

  2. Genny
    May 12, 2009 | 9:13 pm

    Loved this, Shera! Thanks for the great reminder!

    I feel like that sometimes with two kids! 🙂 I think you are an amazing woman with all you juggle, and I’m sure you are an amazing mom. Those six boys are very lucky.