Terrible? Terrific? I’ve heard both. Is there really a way to describe this time in a child’s life, and the parents’? Some days it feels terrible, some days are terrific, and then there are the in-between days. It’s a time of independence. Zachary wants to try everything, do everything and wants it right now. He LOVES to get a reaction out of you. It fuels him up. So I try. I try to intervene and teach and help with patience and little emotion, except when we are celebrating successes. It’s hard, I admit, but I will still try. I know he is not fully understanding yet and not fully communicating yet. He is growing so quickly. I believe that as a parent it is my job to help him learn and understand this crazy world he lives in…how to respect and treat others, how to be gentle and nice, how to love and help, and how to express emotions and wants in a healthy way. And I know it will not end when he turns 3 or 16. This is a time of exploration and independence, but isn’t all life this way? When I really think about it, I am going on 38 and I haven’t mastered all this yet either. So I continue to try with patience and love, knowing that there will be rough days, but hoping that through it all he will grow to love and respect others and this world in which he lives. And as I work with him, may I be reminded to do the same. Bless us, Lord as we try.
“All Things New” April 14, 2009
Here I sit, two days after Easter. He is risen! Amen! I have not forgotten and yet my life seems to pull me into the same old, same old routine. Does the news of Easter change us? Do we look at the world differently? Are we challenged and made new? I want to be. I want to carry the joy of Easter with me every day. I want to smile at my neighbor, lend a hand where there is need, love my family and share the good news of Jesus and the grace He has given us. Reality…I am human. I will have those days of low energy, no motivation, loneliness and weariness. I know this to be true, but I also know the Truth. Jesus died for us. He gave His life that we may have new life and have it abundantly. I will not forget, and when I am down, I will look up, for I know He is with me. Wherever you are on your journey through life, may you never forget that you are loved. He makes all things new. All things, even you and me!
I very much enjoy the music of Andrew Peterson. His album “Resurrection Letters Vol: II” has slipped into my favorites. I want to share this song with you. It is called All Things New. You can listen to it and more at http://www.rhapsody.com/andrew-peterson .
You can check out Andrew Peterson at http://www.andrew-peterson.com
“Come broken and weary. Come battered and bruised. My Jesus makes all things new, all things new. Come lost and abandoned. Come blown by the wind. He’ll bring you back home again, home again. Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, the light of the dawn is upon you. Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, he makes all things new.
Come frozen with shame. Come burning with guilt. My Jesus, he loves you still, he loves you still. Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, the light of the dawn is upon you. Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, he makes all things new. The world was good, the world is fallen, the world will be redeemed, so hold on to the promise. The stories are true that Jesus makes all things new. The dawn is upon you. Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, the light of the dawn is upon you. Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, he makes all things new.”
