Summer by Teri Uvodich
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The heat is on, the hydrangea is bursting with blooms and the ice cream truck rings in the lazy evenings.
Most of us have endured some shadowy days of quarantine when the walls were pushing us into pancakes. We’ve labored through remote learning and have had the hard discussions with our children about race, evil and justice. Disease and division still exist, but we can pause and ponder summer parenting at its’ best.
Fireflies, freedom, friends and fireworks.
Delights.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. (Psalm 149:4)
Will you enjoy your children this summer? Without camps, swim team or vacations, you may have extra time to fill and extra tolerance to maintain.
Of course, you love them. Your heart wants nothing more than their safety and success, yet do you ever wonder why the slumbering beast of irritability erupts within you? The nemesis of patience and kindness, rouses right before the picnic.
My best mothering did not happen when the pre-schooler, had another melt-down, or when the pre-teen flexed her adolescent muscle with a roll of her eyes, nor when the college student mismanaged his time.
Enjoying our children is a life-long process. I want to be patient and gentle but when little man cub says he needs poster board at 9pm for tomorrow’s project, I am challenged. I want to remain unshockable, but when 16 year old KNOW IT ALL, lies about going to her friend’s house, the hidden beast within roars. Matching is an early cognitive skill, but matching one’s behavior with one’s beliefs seems to be a high level of difficulty for this Momma.
Romans 7:15 I don’t understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead I do what I hate.
The sacred duty of parenting demands sacrifice. I give up my time, my body and my interests. I am interrupted when I sleep, exercise, and pay the bills. It could be a bloody nose, sibling contention, or a distressed phone call. My response to these interruptions matter.
My impatient tone and curt words do not prove that I enjoy the cherubs. What can I do with this collision within me?
Romans 7: 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. (Psalm 149:4)
The Lord takes pleasure in his people. God likes us. Relationship is his brilliant idea. He is with us when we are mad, sad and glad. We can enjoy our summertime kids with grape popsicle dripping on the cleaned carpets. We can enjoy their play, their development and their self-discovery. How?
He crowns the humble with victory. I can’t live patiently and kindly with my kids 24/7, but HE CAN. I can be honest and confide in Him about the annoyances. I can let him know I am afraid that Timmy won’t learn to take initiative. I can confess. He can give me the humility to live slowly, so that I can respond well and react less.
Summertime. Young children. Adult children.
They need their parents to enjoy them, so that one day they will declare “There’s no place like home.”
Delight in them.
See them as God sees them.
Genesis 1:27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Is there a new skill or hobby your child enjoys? Is there a conversation to be had with your child regarding his next school year?
Play with them.
Zephaniah 3:17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness . With His love he will calm your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Sing with them, play flashlight tag, sleep in the tent and build the lego summer home.
Forgive them.
Ephesians 4:32 Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven you.
They will trespass against you. They will disappoint you. Forgive early. Forgive frequently.
Listen to them.
James 1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Slow down your brain, your agenda and your words. Less is so much more!
Use restraint with them.
2 Peter 1:6 …make every effort to add to your moral excellence, knowledge, and knowledge self-control with patient endurance…
You don’t need to share every insight that pops into your head. You don’t need to correct every little detail. Let him learn. Let him figure it out. Just pray.
Write 10 things you love about each child.
Mark a blessing date on the calendar for you and your child. Let her choose where to go and what to do.
Ask God to help you see them, as He sees them.
Dear God, Thank you for another season with the people you’ve given me. I need your eyes to see them, to be patient with them. Your designs are beyond my imagination. Help me get in step with your work in my child’s life. He is yours, and I am only managing for a season. I trust you with…..