I wasn’t going to post tonight, but I just had to remember this moment forever…
My son came in to my bedroom after he took his shower tonight and told me that he had “prayed that God would come into his life and be with him forever” while he was in the shower. He said that he prayed that God would “lead him always in the path of Light” and that “he and his children and grandchildren might never stray from it”. He cried when he told us. He has such a tender heart. It made my husband cry, too.
I wouldn’t trade this lifestyle (the Christian homeschooling family life) for any in the world. I adore my kids. My son told me tonight while he was working on his math sheet (he hates math), “I love you mama.” He looked at me so sweetly that it made me melt.
Later after we had discussed belief, baptism, dedicating your life to God and wanting to serve Him… we answered a few pretty interesting and thoughtful questions that my children had. We read some scripture and talked about our own lives and how God led us to make the same decision that he was making. What is so interesting is that we hadn’t even brought this topic up tonight. We didn’t even get around to reading the Bible or our devotional today. It was just a regular day… nothing special on the surface about it at all. It was no different from any other day.
As if that wasn’t enough joy for one day, my seven year old daughter then told me when we tucked her in bed, “Mommy, I want to be baptized this Sunday.” I told her that we would have some lessons about what it means to give your life to Christ before we did that. She said, “Ok, so we can talk about that tomorrow and Saturday and then I want to get baptized Sunday.” She’s got a one-track mind, that one!
I reflected on the day we had together after I kissed them goodnight. We took a long walk in the autumn breeze and sunshine. We sat on the porch glider in the late afternoon reading about Columbus (American History) and God’s creatures (Science) while we watched two squirrels chase themselves in circles around a huge oak tree off our balcony. We read books about famous composers and quizzed each other on how well we knew our music-related vocabulary words. We worked together at our studies all day… writing, discussing, laughing, joking (even getting in trouble a time or two).
Then I remembered that young boy (probably 15-16 years old) we saw at Taco Bell today. He was smoking a joint outside the front door when we walked in. He was hanging out with other 15 or 16 year olds who were laughing disrespectfully and cutting jokes while they ate lunch off-campus. I wondered if his mother knew that her kid was hooked on drugs and at Taco Bell for lunch. I wondered if she knew much about him at all.
I am so sorry for the parents who don’t really know their kids. I am so glad I know mine.
What did I ever do to deserve this life? I WAS that kid at Taco Bell once upon a time. May God save that kid like He did me. Amen.
Buzz Words: homeschooling, love, homeschool, children, motherhood, SAHM, Bible, believe, life, blessings, joy, truth, family, parenting, Christianity, Jesus, God, happy, faith, baptism, prayer, mother
Christy Bryson says
Oh that makes me cry. Both, really. I know what you mean about not trading this life in. I used to be one of those kids, well, not smoking pot in public like that, but…you get the idea. Thank you for hsaring before you went to bed so that I can read it before I start my day.
Rachel says
Oh, is that beautiful. Thanks so much for posting that. I just blogged this morning on laying foundations in the lives of your children… what a great example.
~Patricia~ says
Amen! What a beautiful and poignant post, Heather! I would not trade our lifestyle and the time I have had with my children, either. And, like you, I just can’t believe that the Lord pulled me out of the ditches. My heart aches for that young man at Taco Bell, and I grieve deeply when I read the lack of compassion others have for prodigals like him. I know it is a cliche, but it is so true…there but for the grace of God go I.
cindy says
Lovely post, Heather. Your kids are precious.
I, too, was the kid at Taco Bell. I work with middle school kids now and can say that most of them would rather have a parent who cares where they are and who they are hanging with, then parents who let them do as they please.
Gooby Baby says
What a wonderful family you have! You know, when those kids at Taco Bell suffers as a result of their stupidity I believe some of them will turn to the Lord.
Sometimes it takes pain and suffering b4 ppl come crawling back to GOD……
Sprittibee says
Thanks for the sweet comments everyone. I’m sorry it took so long to respond. My internet went down briefly. 🙂 I’m back online again…