Saturday, July 23, 2011

That Moment

I love it when my kids blow me away.

Reuben likes playing games and watching kids' videos on the Internet.  I'll be the first to admit he probably spends too much time doing said activities, but that's an issue for another day.  This particular story happened one day as I was helping him to get started with one of his videos, and he asked me to sit with him and watch one for a little while.  So I shoved aside all thoughts of getting dishes done before the kids went to bed and sat with him.

My first impression of the video wasn't a great one, and even though it was supposed to be geared towards kids, the story line was about a ghost train, and it had some pretty spooky music.  So I told Reuben I didn't think he should be watching that video and that we should find a different one to watch because I thought it was too scary for him.

He proceeded to tell me the following:  "It's okay, Mommy.  I won't be scared.  I have God in my heart."

Yeah.  It was that moment.

And I have to admit, it was tinged with just a little bit of guilt that he hadn't heard of the idea of having God in his heart from me.  I haven't figured out yet how to teach my kids this concept.  So I had to ask him how he knew about having God in his heart, and eventually, through some strategic question asking, figured that he must have heard it at church.

Isn't God's grace amazing?

As much as I felt that twinge of guilt, I also felt so humbled and then so extremely thankful to know that God truly can work in my kids' lives, even as often as I screw up as a mother.  And I am also extremely thankful to have found a church that takes such an interest in kids, because although I know they need to hear about God from me, it helps to take the pressure off when I know they're also hearing it from other places.

"You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:11-12

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

God's grace is amazing! ~mum

Anonymous said...

Marleah, you should know that your a great mom, yes there are times as a mom that we have all felt like we dropped the ball, we haven't done this or that and we all have our should have moments (sometimes everyday) but that makes each one of us human. We won't ever get it right every time till we reach heaven. But we try to surround ourselves with people who also love God and can come along side us as we teach our children and that is what you are doing, so your doing everything right. Don't forget that the person at church that may pass on that God is in Rueben's heart at that moment did not need to get the laundry in the wash, get the dishes done, think of another meal plan etc, etc. They had 10 minutes of time to pass on this tidbit of knowledge but you pass on the love of God everyday by being their for your kids in every moment. Never forget that!
Every mom feels like they could have done a better job somewhere along the line, but amazingly as kids you remember all the good times and few of the moments that as parents we might dwell on as a bad time. Remember the good, build on the small moments, each one is precious.

Aunt Patty

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