I crave order, organization, structure, preciseness, calmness and freakish neatness. To function at my best, I must have these things. Yet, I married a man that lives, and even thrives, in a completely alternate world...one where chaos, messes, spontaneity, constant action and flying-by-the-seat-of-their-pants is not only acceptable, it is preferred.
Eric and I often laugh about our differences, but we believe passionately that our personal differences keep our relationship perfectly balanced.
Thus, we also believed it stood to reason that any children we had would take the best of all of these extreme traits, and we would have the pleasure and honor of raising this perfectly balanced child.
Yea, well, that is not how it works really...G IS the best of ALL of those traits, and I would NEVER dare to say that he is balanced in any way, shape or form. He is something, but he is not balanced!
Eric and I struggle with him. We both see in him things about ourselves we do not necessarily love...and what pushes my buttons with G doesn't phase Eric in the least. So, needless to say, most every day he challenges us, and every day we wonder if we are doing our best in parenting him.
About a year ago, I found a book that we started reading to him. It is about a little boy that does so many things wrong all day. He is laying in bed pretending to be asleep, and listens to his mother retell the stories of his horrific day. Yet, as the mother finishes the recollection of the day, she cries and whispers:
"God , forgive me for today...
For not being more understanding
When those problems came my way...
For not handling situations
In the way You wanted me to...
For getting angry and losing my temper,
Things I know You don't want me to do.
And, God, please give more more patience,
Help me make it though another day,
I'll do better tomorrow, I promise...
In Jesus' name I pray."
Tonight, like most every night, I say the same to G. I will to better tomorrow, I promise...
However, in our attempts to do better every day, we have decided that we MUST keep G VERY engaged. So, today we PAINTED today with shaving cream!
1 comment:
Yes, I remember picking on you many times about how perfect your handwriting is... *wink*
Those pictures are priceless... :)
I'm not a parent but that prayer seems to be what I say many times anyway... "I'll do better tomorrow..." Luckily, God knows our hearts, sees that we're trying our best and He's always there when we say the very same thing in a very short time... "I'll do better tomorrow, I promise Lord!" ;)
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