THEY'RE WATCHING US CONSTANTLY. I'm talking about our children. Think back to when you were a kid and think of how things you observed formed certain opinions or ideas or even traits in you. Did the things you observed create, insecurities, issues with anger, a not so good idea of how to treat a spouse? Or did they create security in yourself and your family unit, happiness and a great outlook on marriage and life? Holy cow can I say it again?? Our kids are watching us closer than we realize sometimes. And so I am challenged everyday to be that Christ-like example in every area to them. Do I fail? CONSTANTLY. But do you know what the important part is? When we do fail and we will, let's be intentional (yes there's that word again) about going to our children and talking to them about how we failed and apologizing if it had to do with them. Even if it didn't have to do with them and it was something they wtinessed, explaining to them how Mommy should not have acted that way. What a great example of redemption to them. What a great model of making a mistake and asking the Lord to forgive us.
I don't know about you but I don't want to put on this fake, parents don't make mistakes persona with my kiddos. I want them to think of me as open and accessable and actually not perfect. The Lord allowed a perfect example last night:) Tim and I got in an argument right after we put the kids to bed last night, it actually started in Isaac's room in his presence. Now, I guess that we could have not even addressed it with him, but he witnessed the beginning of it and I don't want to ever leave him feeling insecure about our family or our marriage. So, we both went back into his room later on and talked to him and let him know that we should not have talked to each other as husband and wife the way we did. We also talked to him about parents fighting and that it's going to happen, but we love each other and are committed to Jesus and each other. Our kids hear this every time we have an argument that they might have heard (truly we don't argue escessively:)) Be intentional about communicating these things with your kiddos and be encouraged that this creates security in them and understanding. I don't think that the kids should never see you fight, that's giving an unrealistic view of marriage that they could carry for a long time.
Let's be open communicators with our kids. Obviously keeping it age appropriate:) My kiddos are at the age now where they're understanding so much and thinking about things I don't even realize they are sometimes.
Here's another "intentional" to do:) Show your husband affection in the presence of your kiddos! If you ask our kids if they know Mommy and Daddy love each other, they would answer emphatically YES! In fact they would probably add that Daddy thinks Mommy is "hot!" Yes, they do know that word. They know they aren't allowed to use it in regards to someone, but they have heard their Father say it around our house:) Again, this creates security in their little lives and I believe models a great marriage relationship. It's a normal thing in our house......affection:) In fact, they usually run over and join in the hug and then the moment is ruined for us:) I challenge you, if this is foreign or hard for you, to try to start at least once a day in front of your kiddos giving your man a big hug or kiss:) And if you already do this keep it up!
Let's be communicating, affectionate moms and wives! Remember you set the temperature of your home, so let's keep it "HOT!" Haha! Had to throw that in:)
Let's ask the Lord today what areas we need to be more "intentional" in with our families. Psalm 32:8 says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." And in turn Proverbs 22:6 says that we are to "Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
Be encouraged today that you are YOUR kids mom and YOUR Husbands "girlfriend" (stole that from Dr. Laura) for God's reason and a specific purpose, so rise to the challenge and pray and ask the Lord to help you be the best at both today!
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