Sweet!
This morning, Elijah had ended up in our bed and was still snoozing while I nursed Hopey. (I whispered to John, “Now THIS I will miss one day.” What sweet memories of my two littlest spending the first gray-dark moments of the day with me in a bed warmed by their sweet sleepy bodies.) Well, Elijah began to stir a bit and scooted closer to me and Hope (He is our BEST cuddler!). He said so softly with eyes still closed, “I love you, Mama.” I said, “I love you, too, sweet Elijah.” Moments later, his little voice broke the silence again, “I love you so much, Mama.” I said, “Well, I love you so much, too, Elijah.” I sat for a moment, counting my blessings. Then Elijah looked up at me and said, “I’m sorry for screaming my head off!” 
(We had Pastor Salvador and his family (with 3 boys) over last night and Elijah had acted pretty wild and out of control!)
WOW! I immediately thought of this verse:
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
As a parent, I often err by being too strict with my kids, wanting to correct them, but often failing and correcting too strongly. Last night, I told Luke and Elijah that we would talk about their disobedience in the morning (I almost never do this- I don’t like for stuff to hang over them, but as our guests were still here as I laid them down, I didn’t feel like I had another option.) So, I was real calm telling them we would talk later and I assured them that they were forgiven, told them I loved them and put them to bed.
Then, this morning, as Elijah cuddled up and we said “I love you,” his heart prompted him to be sorry for his sin- I was so overwhelmed. And I know it would have gone differently had I fussed and carried on last night and not received his loving this morning.
I am so thankful when, through the power of the Holy Spirit and by God’s grace, I am able to parent correctly- it almost always opens my eyes to another attribute of our precious Holy Father. Please, God, make me more and more like You!!
So sweet and so true.
I am right there with you, Jenny! I love you and think of you often. I know you guys are so busy. Hang in there! I think you are a great Mama! But, I also know how hard it can be at times. May the Lord help us to become who He wants us to be in Him. I am so thankful for how he blesses us through our sweet babies even thought at times we so don’t deserve it. Just the other day I was really struggling and Iva said, “What’s wrong Mama?” I just told her that I did’t feel good and was sad. Later on that night, she asked me if I was feeling better and i just looked at her with a smile and said, “Yes, I am. Thank you for asking me.” She then said something along the lines of, “I’m so glad you are feeling better!” It really touched my heart that she was concerned about her Mama’s well being. What a blessing!
What a precious little boy and what a sweet mama!