thank you benjamin...

I forgot to put my watch on after my shower last night, and since I never use an alarm clock, I didn't know how late it was when I sat up in bed this morning. Then Ben opened the door and told me it was quarter after eight - rats! I usually say goodbye to the first trip kids at 7:30, then wake up the younger ones. By the time I got dressed and came out, they were all dressed and fed, thanks to Ben. He picked out Jonathan's clothes, made them toast, and poured their cereal. So thank you, Ben.

As the kids grow older and make their own choices, I can do nothing but encourage them and be good to them and of course use my "parent power" to limit them in what would be harmful, as much as I can get away with. Sometimes it can be so painful to see them going in what I see as the wrong direction that I am tempted to just say TO heck with them! But I cannot do that because I love them, and therefore suffer when they start veering in the wrong direction. No, not all of them. But now I realize how it was in the parable about the sheep, when the shepard left the 99 to go save the one. Jesus has that heart for us, and we as parents have that heart for our children. Yesterday I was suffering such pain and sadness, and temptations of anxiety over one child, that I wished this child was young again, back when everything was simple. I see that now more than ever I need grace, and wisdom from God. Longsuffering and forgiveness and mercy and self-control. I think when the kids are little there is much opportunity to attain to these things, so that when they are older and the trials are different, there is a foundation in our lives. So use the opportunities that God sends our way! Seek Him in every situation.

I need to remember that every thing is weighed and measured by God, and He never sends more than we can handle. It may feel that way, but that is when we need to lean on Him and trust Him. Those who trust in Him are never disapointed.

And on that note, I need to move along here....