Guide & Pray. Then, Rinse & Repeat.

In my last post, I touched on the responsibility of guide that has been entrusted to parents & grandparents. Today, we will look at how we are to guide?

The book of Proverbs tells us, we are to guide our children in the way they should go.

Not in the way they want to go. Not along the path that brings them the most pleasure. Not to whatever makes our little angel happy. We are to guide them in the way they SHOULD go. 

This, at times, will be grueling. And if we don't have the gray hairs yet to prove it ... we will soon.

In the grueling season, we will hear things like:

• Mom, you just don't understand!

• Grandma, a lot has changed since you were my age.

• Momma, I'm just not like you. I don't want to be you, I want to be me!

• No fair! Everyone else is doing it!

Training a child in the way they should go is difficult, and it can get messy. Perhaps, you've heard things far more hurtful from your child or grandchild than the things I listed above. Things that cut so deep only a touch from God can heal. It may help to remember in this difficult season that the flesh doesn't give up without putting up a fight. Our children's flesh will put up a fight, and so will our own.

But then, when all hope is nearly gone. It happens.

Not an apology. Something far better.

Your child or grandchild suddenly finds what they thought was "outdated" is relevant for their daily lives. They choose well, not simply because it is expected. Not simply because they fear consequences. They choose well because they see the wisdom in the decision. They choose well because they now see what they were once unable to see.

Maturity is a beautiful thing! That bears repeating ... Yes, maturity is a beautiful thing.

Unfortunately, it is not a one-time thing. As we have learned from our own personal experience, maturity is a process. The process can be grueling. Especially, for the guide. But hang in there ... it's worth it.

How do we guide a child in the way he or she should go? One day at a time!
Guide & Pray. Then, Rinse & Repeat.


On this journey together,
Patty

I Didn't Know It Was That!

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. Her mouth drooled with anticipation. Fork in hand, she prepared to dive into her favorite dish. Then, the unthinkable happened. She pushed away her plate and said the following ... "I didn't know it was that! How can something so delicious be so disgusting?"

• The she was my precious granddaughter. 

• The what was (delicious) fettucini alfredo.

Seems the chef had been a bit careless in his preparation that day. In his haste, he had neglected to whisk together the ingredients that make alfredo. The creamy yummyness she expected to see in her bowl was a pool of yellowish white yuck.

When she looked down and saw it ... for what it truly was ... she no longer had an appetite for it.

I will admit the "momma" in me said a little, "Thank you Jesus" at that very moment. I had often voiced my gentle guidance on the importance of making healthy choices with food. So, I was pleased. Yes, I was VERY pleased. A hundred years of guidance wouldn't have had the same impact as seeing it with her own eyes had that day. 

Mommas & Gram-mommas are to lovingly guide the little ones entrusted to us.

Even when they roll their eyes ... don't you dare stop guiding. But we are also to pray.

Pray God will open their eyes and allow them to see for themselves what might be hiding in all the pleasures of the flesh they may seek to enjoy. Pray God will bring them to a personal conviction; not just a momma or gram-momma said no conviction.